On Feb. 28, the Union League Club of Chicago was overrun by a time-warped England. This year, with a British Mod theme, donors dressed the part in support of the students for The French Pastry School of Kennedy-King College and its 10th annual For the Love of Chocolate Gala.
The 65 W. Jackson Blvd. space was packed to capacity during the pop-up shows created throughout the evening. Funk bands, DJs and roller-skating shows kept the bright dance floor packed with spectators. Various secret rooms in the building provided entertainment, including a psychedelic sitar group and a '60s van photo opportunity.
From 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. chefs from all over the city presented cuisine on multiple floors. One room was full of various cakes and champagne while another had old school vinyl records to play. Not only were there mounds of chocolate desserts but dinner food was also sampled from pasta to beef wellington that was simply cooked to perfection.
In the corner of the top floor, Hershey's Chocolate took photos of guests and then printed their faces on their very own chocolate bar.
A groovy auction girl was body-painted with items up for bidding such as a private pastry class for 16 or dinner for 12.
Stan's Donuts had such a huge breakfast treat that most couldn't down at this event, so take-home samples were offered in one of the two gift bags given out upon exiting.
This fundraiser continues to rise in term of size with a turnout of more than 1,300 people and creative ways of bringing in money for specialized education in food. All proceeds went to helping dedicated students of the pastry arts attend L'Art de la Patisserie and L'Art du Gateau, two all-inclusive courses at the school.
Find out more at www.fortheloveofchocolatefoundation.org .