Palisadians Indulge at Chocolate Festival

More than 1,500 people sipped dessert wines, sampled exotic sweets and ultimately (perhaps over-) indulged in chocolate from the best chocolatiers in the city at the sixth annual Indulge L.A. Chocolate Festival & Pastry Show on Dec. 28.

Nearly 50 vendors, including celebrity chefs Stephane Treand, Lee Smith, Kris Harvey and Jean Marie Auboine, set up booths at The Olympic Collection in West L.A. to dish up pastries, chocolates, wines, sweets and eats at the event’s best attended year to date, according to Patranya De La Cruz, PR Director for the event organizer Barcelona Enterprises.

“It has been growing every year, and I believe this was the biggest one so far,” De La Cruz told the Palisadian-Post.

Marco Paolo Chocolates out of Van Nuys provided samples of their distinctive double-layered artisan chocolate truffles. The elderberry and lavender truffle was delicate with subtle layers of flavor and the pleasant taste of lavender—without being at all perfume-y.

Sugar and Spyked out of Torrance had a mudslide cheesecake and Chocolatiere Eve out of Santa Monica had hand-painted white chocolates that were truly one of a kind, buttery and smooth.

Among the longest lines at the festival was one stretching out in front of Thirteen Apples, a small business that provides a create-your-own candy apple station for parties and events. Patrons could choose to have their apples dipped in sauces like vanilla and classic caramel, then have them rolled in a variety of toppings like nuts, crackers and candy.

9021 Pho, a business with five locations frequented by many Palisadians, dished up chicken meatballs with chocolate for a savory and sweet bite to eat. ACE Academy of Culinary Education had a gorgeous table with decadent desserts, and students (some of whom are Palisadians) whipped up a luscious gluten-free gateau concorde that was everything “gluten-free” is typically not—moist, soft and sinful.

Tené Harris, culinary artist and owner of Sweet Beginnings, said she has catered many private parties in the Palisades and offers baking lessons in addition to catering. Her booth was so popular that she had to ration out samples to avoid running out of goodies before the event was over. Her ambrosia macaroons and gluten-free cappuccino brownie with ganache, pistachios and cranberries were huge hits.

It was easy to see what the most popular item was at the event, judging by the long line and by peeking at plates—the chocolate fried chicken from Choco Chicken, which was so coveted that it ran out, much to the dismay of those in line for seconds and thirds.

Angelenos and Palisadians left the event with full bellies, satisfied sweet teeth and perhaps a newfound inspiration to get cooking, baking and treat-making.