The ninth annual Chocolate Expo at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City promises to be something people have never seen before. This Sunday, March 1, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., specialty vendors — including local purveyors along with those from New Hampshire, Honduras and beyond — will share their sweet and savory wares with the public at the unique event, one of the largest food-centric festivals in the U.S., according to its founder Marvin Baum. Baum says this year’s edition includes many first-time vendors as well as an extensive diversity of offerings. “When you go to these festivals, you remember something you tried that you can’t get elsewhere,” he says. “That’s what we try to do with this.”
Attendees will get to taste, purchase, celebrate and indulge in delicious gourmet chocolates, baked goods, specialty foods, cheeses, wines, spirits, craft sodas and much more. Guests will be greeted by fountains in the mseum’s three-story lobby overflowing with dark, white and milk chocolates, which can deliciously drench a selection of fresh fruit, marshmallows pretzels and Rice Krispies treats.
Participating chocolatiers will offer chocolate bon bons, chocolate bars, raw chocolate, hot chocolate, chocolate fudge, chocolate novelties, chocolate barks and chocolate-covered goodies. Cake jars, cupcakes, brownies, donuts, raw cookie dough treats, challahs, hamantaschen and Bahamian-style rum cakes will be showcased along with other baked goods. Also indulge in chocolate spirits, chocolate wines, chocolate beers, sangria and hard ciders, among the craft beverages available for tasting and purchase.
Returning visitors can expect some new features, as well. The Long Island Honey Market features hundreds of local, regional and international honeys and honey-infused products “that are not readily available in stores,” according to Baum.
The New England Pavilion highlights vendors from New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts offering handcrafted treats, chocolate-infused bath products and other items. And new vendor Tree Juice Maple Syrup from upstate New York will give guests a taste of pure maple syrups infused with a range of all-natural flavors.