It takes a lot to get me out last minute on a Thursday night during the school year. Especially in the pouring rain. Especially when out means, across the Ben Franklin Bridge, and into Camden, NJ. However, last Thursday I had an extremely good reason!
Any event that is described to me as a "chocolate frenzy," sets the bar of expectation REALLY REALLY REALLY high. I mean REALLY. The Philadelphia ALS Associations' Hot Chocolate, which took place at the Camden Adventure Aquarium Ballroom this year on March 10, 2011, was every chocolate addicts' dream. I mean, I'm already blocking out my calendar for next year's event.
Invited by a coworker after school (who happens to be the sister of one of the co-chairs of the event), I raced home to change and brave myself to go back into the monsoon of a rain storm that had been going on all day. It had been a long week.. and she promised that there would be chocolate and drinks EVERYWHERE. She did not lie.
When I walked in with my admission ticket, I was invited by the soothing background of the Adventure Aquarium's giant shark and sea life tanks. The Aquarium's tanks are beautiful by day, but transform into the "Currents Ballroom" providing a breathtaking backdrop at an evening event. As soon as I dropped my gaze from the sharks to find my friend Julie, I was entranced by the rivers of chocolate fountains and well paired dipping foods (pinnacles of pineapple, streams of strawberries, mountain's of marshmallows, plains of pretzels, caverns of cookies, caves of cakes.. I could go on..)
Julie found me and pulled me out of my stupor, immediately escorting me to the chocolate martini bar. Delicious. Chocolate syrup squirted in the glass, topped with chocolate infused vodka, creme de cacao, and chocolate liqueur. Oh. Em. Gee. Why yes, I'll have one, thank you very much. And some moscato to pair with my chocolate tasting? Oh yes. Of course.
After introducing me to a handful of people, she led me through the back ballroom to explore chocolate sculptures, bar tables of chocolate treats, sandwiches for sustenance (amateurs), a wine bar, what seemed to be upwards of 25 handcrafted chocolate vendors (some from states away!), massage chairs, tables of donated gummi, chocolate, and largely manufactured items (larger companies like Tasty Cake, Zitner's, and Just Born - makers of Peanut Chews - sent never ending cases of their product for distribution), and silent auctions. I have never been around SO much delicious, quality, aesthetically pleasing chocolate at one time. It made Hershey Park look like Six Flags Mediocre Adventure. That's right. A NON-chocolate themed amusement park that just is not as cool Six Flags Great Adventure. It was a ballroom full of relaxation, with side rooms of MORE relaxation. It was a giant candy store for adults. Willie Wonka, what up. I have seen your glory. And I loved it.
Wine! Friends!
Chocolate vendors just giving away stuff in pretty little packages! (This one in particular had AMAZING chocolate peanut butter brownies... that I most certainly took home several of...)
A steel drum band playing in front of a giant cartoon shark! I mean who could NOT love that? Who? No one.
I could literally feel my blood pressure drop while watching these guys and indulging in delicious chocolate tastings.
Beautiful chocolate sculpture egg.
Really neat sea life.
So, the entire thing was amazing, and seemed to be a huge success for the charity. I would wager that they raised a ton of money for ALS, so once I was done being so excited by all the chocolate and general awesomeness of the event, I felt good that my admission ticket (as well as all the silent auction items people bid on, and raffle tickets that were bought) went to a good cause. The speakers were fabulous and reminded us what the event was truly about (helping those with ALS - more commonly known ask Lou Gehrig's Disease), and the co-chairs graciously ensured that everyone had a great experience.
Check them out. Larry and Jill Kaplan have been pulling this event off for several years, while working full time and raising a family. Role models!
On the way out, everyone gets to take home a cute martini glass from the event, stuffed with a very necessary toothbrush. So adorable. But that's not all...
Julie and I made off with this giant tray of fudge to bring into work the next day. We had so many friends on Friday.
Anddddd this is my bag of loot stuffed with delicious confections from the amazing chocolate vendors at the event. Chocolate covered pretzels I snagged for the boyfriend, peanut butter brownies for.. um.. myself.. obviously, gummi candies and tasty cakes, for my students, and all sorts of delicious treats!
What a wonderful Thursday night. What a wonderful night, period. The only question left is... who is coming with me next year?!
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