"For the Love of Chocolate" took place at Merchandise Mart this past weekend. This annual black-tie affair raises funds for students training at The French Pastry School of Kennedy-King College at the City Colleges of Chicago.
More than 60 chefs and restaurants attended, covering most of the first floor of the Marteven spilling inside many of the showrooms. An almost 10-foot-long bean was created out of jelly beans from Jelly Belly, and was featured in front of the foyer. Models strutted down the runway in dresses made of chocolate, Skittles and even corn husks.
Celebrity chefs were everywhere, from the current season of Bravo's Top Chef to Frontera Grill's Rick Bayless. Thick cupcakes, beef in chocolate mole sauce, and caramel-dripping gelato were among the culinary highlights. Attendees took advantage of a chocolate spa to relieve some tension with foot massages while DJs were spinning the tunes on two stages until late in the night.
More than a thousand guests had a grand time throughout the evening while donating their time and money. The organization has raised more than $225,000 for scholarships since its inception.
Buy your tickets early next year, as this was a sold-out event. For more information, visit www.fortheloveofchocolatefoundation.org .
Photos and text by Jerry Nunn