Over 1,000 guests headed for Revel Fulton Market for AIDS Foundation of Chicago's ( AFC ) 16th annual World of Chocolate celebration on Dec. 1.
About 19 confectioners, restaurants and other businesses took part in the annual competition and celebration that usually marks an enjoyable closing to local World AIDS Day observations and remembrances; World AIDS Day is also marked on Dec. 1.
Among the treats guests sampled were gourmet chocolate cigars from Fred's restaurant, located in Barney's New York Chicago; chocolate-spiked eggnog and red velvet crinkle cookies from Vanille Patisserie; a chocolate "Marquis" rolled in tableaPhillipine chocolatepowder from ZED451; and Wow Bao's chocolate-filled bao, which have become a World of Chocolate staple. Two confectioners attempted chocolate-filledand seafood-freesushi.
Competition winners included People's Choice award, London House; Best Sweet, Cindy's in Chicago Athletic Association Hotel; Best Savory, London House; Best Sculpture, Sofitel; Best Libation, Freds at Barneys New York Chicago; Best Small Business, CH Distillery; and Best Large Business, Radisson BLU.
"What a better way to celebrate the progress made toward getting to zero new HIV infections in Illinois than with gourmet chocolate on World AIDS Day," said John Peller, AFC's president and CEO, in a Dec. 2 statement. "That being said, the fight isn't over. AFC's advocates are proud to fight for health equity the other 364 days of the year and work with people across the state to shape our Getting to Zero campaign."
The Getting to Zero campaign, developed by AFC and a coalition of community partners, utilizes infection-prevention and -treatment strategies aimed at eliminating new HIV infections locally.