Oh, those dreary, wet winter days. We’ve had more than our fair share, but in order to get those gorgeous green hiking trails all summer long, we’ve got at least few more to endure. Luckily the Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival is right around the corner to warm your soul.
From January 20 to February 14, you’ll get a taste of what our city’s talented chefs, artisan food producers and independent businesses can create with hot cocoa.
2018 also has new vendors, never-imagined-before hot chocolate flavours and do-good charity goals. Check out the Festival’s event page: it’s filled with a near-daily list of chocolatey-good experiences.
NEW VENDORS
Cartems Donuts
La Glace
Mon Paris Patisserie
Trafiq Café & Bakery
Baggio Gelateria & Pizzeria (former Bella Gelateria location, Yaletown)
James’ Gelato at Mahoney & Sons (a pop-up by James Coleridge, formerly of Bella Gelateria)
FULL LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
49th Parallel Roasters
Baggio Gelateria & Pizzeria
Bel Café
Bella Gelateria
Butter Baked Goods
Cartems Donuts
Chez Christophe
Chocolate Arts
Doughgirls Comfort Kitchen & Bakeshop
Earnest Ice Cream
East Van Roasters
Eternal Abundance Organic Market & Café
Gem Chocolates
Glenburn Soda Fountain & Confectionery
Italian Cultural Centre (cooking classes)
James’ Gelato at Mahony & Sons (with 2 supplier partners)
KoKo Monk Chocolates
La Glace
Lucky’s Doughnuts
Mink Chocolates
Mon Paris Patisserie
Soirette Pastry Boutique
Swiss Bakery
Temper Chocolate and Pastry
Terra Breads
Thierry Chocolaterie, Patisserie & Café
Thomas Haas Chocolates
Trafiq Café and Bakery
Vegan Supply (with 5 supplier partners)
The Vancouver Winter Farmers Markets
The Bean Buggy
Maples Sugar Shack
Nuez Organic Nut Milk
Sarcastic Bean
Take a Fancy Bean to Bar Chocolate
LOCAL SUPPLIERS
Amai Vegan Treats
Castle Kitchen
Erin Ireland’s “To Die For Foods”
Glow Chocolates
Kapow Now!
Nutmeg Mylk
Sweet Thea
Zimt Chocolates
THE VANCOUVER FARMERS MARKETS
The Market folks will offer hot chocolates and sweet edibles at both their winter market locations. Look for Festival posters marking the booths of participating vendors at both the Nat Bailey Stadium and Hastings Park Farmers Markets.
THE ITALIAN CULTURAL CENTRE
Our Italian friends at the Centre have designed a cooking class demonstrating the method of making rich and dark drinking chocolate – Italian style, as well as cookies traditionally served with them.
VEGAN SUPPLY
This Chinatown grocer has come to the aid of hot chocolate fans looking for vegan, dairy-free or just healthier hot chocolate mixes that they can use at home. Some of their favourite suppliers will be offering demos and tastings on location throughout the festival period.
A LITTLE SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Anyone looking for the unusual will not be disappointed. This year Mink Chocolates is creating one of their drinks using Donkey’s Milk, while Soirette will top one of theirs with real Liquid Gold. Even more unique, Gem Chocolates will offer a taste of “the World’s Rarest Chocolate” – made with chocolate from a cocoa plantation so lost and forgotten in the Peruvian jungles, it took a modern day Indiana Jones to rediscover it. Discover more of the 75 crazy flavours here.
In addition, many vendors have strived to make their drinks healthier this year with no-sugar and non-dairy alternatives, using a virtual grocery cart of produce as ingredients. Think apple cider, avocado, beets, red beans, mushrooms and tomato.
Visit the Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival online for more info.
