For the ultimate celebration of chocolate, there are a few delicious chocolate festivals and events taking place. If you are not planning to be near any of the festivals, several gourmet chocolate shops, specializing in irresistible hand made chocolates, offer other options; and if you are not going to be near any of the chocolate shops, never fear, since most accommodate online ordering. Finally, you can browse a list of Southern chocolate recipes for homemade chocolate creations.
Chocolate Festivals and Special Events
- Red Wine and Chocolate Seminar
Daily (times vary) at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina
Register at the Biltmore Estate Winery reception area for this seminar, free with estate admission, to explore the heavenly match of red wine and chocolate. Schedule is subject to change.
- Secrets of the Chocolate Maker
Schedule varies at Colonial Williamsburg
During winter, spring and fall visitors are able to explore the process of 18th-century chocolate making on the first Tuesday of each month.
- Carolina Chocolate Festival
February 5 - 7, 2010 in Morehead City, North Carolina
Just in time for Valentine's Day, enjoy a weekend of chocolate delights at this annual celebration of chocolate.
- Chocolate Lovers Festival
February 6 - 7, 2010 in Fairfax, Virginia
Downtown historic Fairfax, Virginia celebrates the yumminess of chocolate at this annual event for chocolate lovers.
- Wilmington Chocolate Festival
February 2010 - date tba - in Wilmington, North Carolina
Featuring a gala and festival with demonstrations and vendors, this annual chocolaty event supports senior services in the community.
- Chocolate Festival
April 2010 - date tba - in the Washington Historic District of Maysville, Kentucky - Mason County
"Rivers of dark sweet chocolate flow through 1700s village shops" located along flagstone streets during this annual festival. In addition to lots of chocolate, this event features live entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides, a pony cart, chocolate candy hunts for children, a chocolate fudge contest and more.
- Abbey of Gethsemani - Welcome Center and Gift Shop
3642 Monks Road, Trappist, Kentucky
The monastery's homemade bourbon fudge, one of its most popular items, is available in the gift shop. Thought by many to be the best fudge in the world (according to one of the brothers, who made the fudge for more than ten years,) these delicious confections comes in two varieties: chocolate and new butter walnut, both richly blessed with the flavor of aged Kentucky bourbon. For more information about visiting the monastery gift shop, click above. To order Abbey's homemade fudge online, visit the Gethsemani Farms Web Site or order by telephone at 800-549-0912.
- ACKC Alexandria, VA
2003A Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia
In December 2007, Rob Kingsbury of Kingsbury Chocolates, formerly located in Old Town Alexandria, and Eric Nelson of Artfully Chocolate combined their talents to create a new company, ACKC (Artfully Chocolate Kingsbury Confections.) Not to be missed by any chocolate lover, ACKC features a Cocoa Bar Café, chocolate shop and art gallery. The nearby Washington, DC location offers chocolate making and chocolate tasting classes.
Irresistible chocolate creations include Lavender Pistachio Truffles of Provence lavender and salt roasted pistachios, Chipotle Cinnamon Truffles (my favorite) with spicy smoked jalapeño, cinnamon and rich dark chocolate and many other decadent choices. There are also sugar crèmes, chocolate bars, chocolate drinks, novelty chocolates (need a chocolate voodoo doll?) and chocolate spa products. For online orders, visit the ACKC Online Store.
- The Chocolate Fetish
36 Haywood Street, Asheville, North Carolina
If you cannot be in Asheville to choose your chocolates, you can create a personally selected box of your individual choices online. Signature chocolates at this popular shop include Ecstasy Truffles™ made with a fine European chocolate blend and sophisticated flavoring and Americas Best Truffles™ offering a variety of rich flavorings in premium dark and milk chocolate.
- The Historical Chocolate Co.
2810-G Dorr Avenue, Fairfax, Virginia
These cool chocolates made on the premises are great for gifts from a visit to Virginia or to give to someone from Virginia, as well as for special event favors. The chocolates are made into the shapes of several Virginia historic buildings including places you might have visited in Alexandria, Virginia universities and more. There are also patriotic flag chocolates and chocolates representing the branches of the armed services, as well as a great selection of chocolates in the shapes of the national monuments of Washington, D.C.
- Savannah's Candy Kitchen
225 East River Street, Savannah, Georgia
Watch expert confectioners make the famous Pecan Pralines, Peanut Brittle and Chocolate Gophers by hand in the busy on-site candy kitchen. A second Savannah shop is located in the fashionable City Market retail center at 318 West St. Julian Street.
- Charleston's Candy Kitchen
32 Market Street, Charleston, South Carolina
Find the same delicious hand made confections as in Savannah's Candy Kitchen at the company's newest location in the heart of Charleston's Market Center.
