Homewood Chocolate Fest: What To Know If You Go

HOMEWOOD, IL - Final preparations are underway for the 17th annual Homewood Chocolate Fest, which is scheduled from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16 inside the Homewood-Flossmoor Auditorium. Event promoters indicate there's a number of events planned throughout the festival including the annual Chocolate Bake-Off Contest that features both professional and amateur chocolatiers.

“This is the ‘sweetest’ festival Homewood offers,” said Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld. “It’s always amazing to see the creativity and ingenuity of the area bakers for the Bake-Off contest. It has been said that chocolate has a great many health benefits. So, in the interest of good health come on out to Chocolate Fest, and indulge.”

Here's everything you should know about the event as the big day approaches.

Where

The auditorium is located at 2010 Chestnut Road in downtown Homewood.

When

It's scheduled from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16.

Bake-Off

The annual Homewood Chocolate Fest Bake-Off is hosted by The Community Relations Commission. It's "a spirited contest for bakers and confectioners to compete for recognition as 'Home Sweet Homewood's Master Pastry Chef,' according to a news release.

A panel of judges selects three winners from both categories: professional and amateur. After the winners are decided, the public samples each entry beginning at 11:30 a.m. in exchange for a small donation to benefit The Cancer Support Center. The winner is announced at 1:30 p.m.

Baking Demonstration

Barb Haggerty, pastry chef from The Cottage on Dixie, will demonstrate how to make truffles at noon and 1 p.m. Three different types of truffles will be made: chocolate truffles with different toppings, white chocolate truffles with dark chocolate topping and peanut butter truffles coated in chocolate.

Vendors

• Elite Sweets
• EmpanadUS
• Fannie May
• Mother Wilma’s Marshmallow Factory
• Tiddleywink Toffee
• Fabulously Sweet Creations
• Freddy’s Frozen Custard
• Pop’s Popcorn Shop

Community Handouts

The Homewood Flossmoor High School culinary class will hand out out dessert samples as well.

The Homewood Business Association will sell their Chocolate Passports Around the World.

For The Kids

Kids will be able to decorate chef hats to take home for their own baking adventures.

Image courtesy of the village of Homewood