Sander Wolf’s annual Dallas Chocolate Festival pegged for September 12, tickets on sale now

In just the past few years, there has been a revolution in the way people experience chocolate. Local trailblazing chocolatiers like Chocolate Secrets, Elegantly Chocolate, and Kate Weiser Chocolate have elevated the traditional bonbon into miniature pieces of art that look every bit as beautiful as they taste. At the same time, bean-to-bar chocolate makers like Art Pollard of Amano Artisan Chocolate are creating hand-crafted goodness with carefully sourced ingredients and masterfully refined techniques. The distinct flavors of these bars elevate the traditional treat into pieces of culinary artistry.
In addition to bonbons and bars, there will also be sculptural wonders like the signature chocolate shoe from CocoAndré Chocolatier, and whimsical flavor combinations like Bark Chocolate’s milk chocolate and gummy bears. Taken as a whole, they will showcase how industry innovators are pushing chocolate to new and interesting levels.

Of course there are a lot of chocolate lovers out there. So going to a festival where you get to try a lot of chocolate samples has huge appeal. But, once people arrive and try single-origin Ecuadorian chocolate from Pacari, or the innovative Brazilian treats from Nina Brigadario; it’s like a light bulb goes on. They begin to understand that a $7 bar of chocolate is a wholly different experience than a candy bar they get out of a vending machine — and they can’t wait to try some more.

At its heart, that has always been the Festival’s goal: to educate the public about the artistry of chocolate, one bar at a time.

The 2015 Dallas Chocolate Festival is lining up more vendors, access times and floor space than ever before. Local favorites Dr. Sue’s Chocolate and Haute Sweet Patisserie will share the floor with nationally recognized chocolate makers like Escazu from North Carolina, and Dallas’ own bean-to-bar maker, Sublime Chocolate.
Tickets are on sale now at dallaschocolate.eventbrite.com. All tickets include access to the vendor hall (with samples), food trucks, lectures and presentations, the Callebaut Interactive Children’s Table, silent auction, and the gift shop. General Admission tickets are $25, children’s tickets are $5, and VIP tickets are $75. VIP tickets include exclusive early access to the sampling floor, a goody bag, t-shirt and more. Parking is free.