Hunter Valley Gardens Chocolate Festival

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Willy Wonka and his chocolate factory will arrive in Hunter Valley this coming weekend on August 1-2 to celebrate all things chocolate as part of the .

Due to the successful launch last year, resident chef of Better Homes and Gardens, Ed Halmagyi, also known as ‘Fast Eddy’, will host the two day festival. Master chocolatier Dean Gibson and other choccie experts will join ‘Fast Eddy’ on the main stage to show-of their cooking skills with demonstrations of decadent chocolate recipes, desserts and chocolate sculpting.

Apprentices to high calibre chefs from across the state will return to compete in the Callebaut Chocolate Dessert Competition, an expected highlight of the festival. Last year’s winner was Balmoral’s Bathers Pavilion chef, Anna Polyviou who will be one of the judges for this year’s competition. Competitors will have to create a dessert using Callebaut chocolate and will be judged based on presentation, taste and it’s suitability to go on a menu of a fine dine restaurant – all very Master Chef like.

But don’t worry; the festival won’t all be about observing chocolate from a distance. You’ll get your chance to sample and purchase all the chocolate you want from the market stalls that will be set up all weekend. Just to entice you here are a few treats you may across – chocolate dipped fruits, chocolate fondues, chocolate fountains, chocolate ice cream, chocolate truffles and chocolate cakes – now that’s just making me hungry as I write this!

And what better to go with good food but good wine. Learn the art of how a glass of wine and other beverages can enhance the flavour of your next bite into a chocolate ganache.

While you’re there, take a tour with Kirsten Tibballs, director of Savour Chocolate School and Australian Ambassador for premium Belgian chocolate, Callebaut on the ‘History Chocolate Walk’ to learn about the history and facts of chocolate.

There will also be plenty of entertainment for the little ones in the Kidzone Area to keep them happy as you indulge yourself with some sweet treats.

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