Chocolate Good for Charity

By Andrew Jenkins in Food on Nov 28, 2006 4:51PM

There are all kinds of ways to volunteer and support your causes. Some require that you walk a 5K. Many take time and dedication. Most are geared at raising money. So if you’re a little light on the time and effort, and walking just isn’t your thing, maybe you’d like to donate some cash to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) this Thursday and eat chocolate all night. As far as that whole community service thing goes, there are certainly less appealing options.

The AFC’s annual World of Chocolate event, held the night before World AIDS Day, lets guests try tasty morsels from some of Chicago’s premiere confectioners (we’re not talking about Tootsie Roll here, people). Places like Bon Bon, Cocoa Room and The French Pastry School will compete for various awards (best hot chocolate, presentation etc.) throughout the evening, and for around $60 you could try them all yourself. Mix in an open bar and light buffet, and this sounds like a pretty nice, and philanthropic, Thursday night.

The event typically draws around 1,000 people and also includes some live entertainment, a raffle, and a Holiday Bazaar with gifts and ornaments donated by local shops. We doubt the live entertainment will come close to rivaling the live band karaoke at this Thursday’s Chicagoist Happy Hour, so you’ll have to stop by Quenchers and lull your sugar high with a few beverages.

World of Chocolate — Thursday, November 30; 5:30 to 9:00 p.m.; Grand Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Dr.; Individual tickets are $60 in advance, $75 at the door, with more generous ticket options also available.