2nd Annual Chocolate
World Expo
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2nd Annual Chocolate
World Expo
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Chocolate World Expo, which made its Long Island debut in 2012 to large and enthusiastic crowds, returned to the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, NY, on Sunday, March 3. At Chocolate World Expo, attendees got to taste, purchase, celebrate and otherwise indulge in delicious gourmet chocolates, baked goods, specialty foods, gelato, cheeses, wines, beers and much more from about 70 local & regional vendors. In addition to extending the show by two hours and increasing the number of participating vendors by 20 percent over last year’s event, Chocolate World Expo also expanded to utilize the Museum’s second floor for a more spacious vendor booth layout. Among the unusual items at this year’s Expo were chocolate cheese, chocolate wines, chocolate salad dressing, chocolate-scented soaps and the hugely popular chocolate-covered bacon. Attendees also had the opportunity to try unique new items such as Peruvian-style pastries, traditional Middle Eastern sweets and “raw” cookie dough-style treats in a variety of flavors. Many vendors from last year’s debut enthusiastically returned, such as Bacon Bites, Breezie Maples Farm, Bella’s Biscotti, Chocolate Works, Dutch Desserts, Fretzels by Jill, JD Gourmet and Screme Gelato. Some newcomers at this year’s event include 2 Chicks with Chocolate, Custo Cookie, Oliver Kita Fine Confections, Isn’t it Sweet, Rose Randolph Cookies, Scuteri’s Cannoli Connection, Spreading Joy and South n’ France, among others.
For ready-to-eat treats, Aurora Gourmet’s chocolate fountains greeted visitors at the front atrium lobby of the Museum, while at the back, in the Red Planet Café, Pika’s Farm Table was making authentic Belgian-style waffles using imported Belgian pearl sugar and then dipping the waffles in a choice of white, dark or milk chocolate. Wine tastings and sales were another highlight of Chocolate World Expo, with offerings by Americana Vineyards, Fox Run Vineyards, Glenora Wine Cellars, Knapp Vineyards and Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery. Those who preferred beer had the chance to taste brews from Chatham Brewing Company, winner of the Matthew Vassar Award for best brewery in the Hudson Valley at TAP New York. Tickets included admission to the Cradle of Aviation’s fascinating exhibits plus one free ride on the historic Nunley’s Carousel. As a special added bonus, admission to Chocolate World Expo also included admission to the Nassau County Firefighters Museum. Offering much more than chocolate, all those in attendance had an enjoyable time and many were left in eager anticipation of the next Chocolate World Expo.
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