If you are a chocolate lover or fan of an occasionally indulgence in sweets such as chocolate cupcakes or truffles, then you would be eager to attend the weekend main attraction filled with chocolate tastings at the annual New York City Chocolate Show.
This year the show returns to the big apple with a mission to run an event with fundraising initiatives; with the exception of a few exhibitors who unfortunately didn’t purchase a booth this time around at the show due to the extent of the economy. However, there were reports that some fan-favorite retailers were not in attendance as a direct result of the delayed traveling due to the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Traveling and navigating the airport issues is not a small feat, these vendors were willing to find alternative options to make the show. Organizers took an inventory list and were proactive in managing the pre-planned schedule to ensure the show was a success. This show couldn’t have come at a better time to provide a brief, but much-needed entertainment relief after the great ordeal that city families had undergone the previous weeks.
The Hurricane Sandy was a whirlwind weather nightmare and tragedy for residents of New York and New Jersey. Many families had to endure several days of living without power, severe power outages in the neighborhood, fallen trees, lack of heat, dangerous power lines exposed and blocked roads. NY1 TV news station broadcasted the local events to give a list of available activities that were kid-friendly in the area.
The city needs a day to step away from the aftermath and take hold of a ticket for a fun day out filled with massive amounts of chocolate. With inexpensive ticket admission to the show, the organization worked towards supplying a good opportunity for inner-city parents who had a desire to something special for their kids in the midst of the aftermath of the Hurricane.
Normally, on the weekend the transit service in the city is inconsistent. It can be difficult and stressful to find the currently updates about the delays in trains or service issues taking control of the train line during the day. Fortunately, when the show started there was a line outside of the door. It began at the back entrance of the Container Store on 9th avenue and ended at the 1 train located at the end of the block. Transportation in the city was not reliable before the hurricane affected the system.
By early morning, it appeared that patrons had successfully found alternative methods of transportation and were awaiting the ticket ropes to move aside at the door’s entrance. At 10:00am the doors open without a hitch and were pushed wide open in a welcoming demeanor. The show management team had security guards stationed at both front and back entrance, while the volunteer staff administered the show program pamphlets, organic chocolate milk sponsored by Nestle, and a schedule of arts & craft activities for the children.
The net profits of the sale of tickets, water bottles, and tote bags went to the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund. This sale was promoted in efforts to provide care and good resources to those who lost their homes and were impacted.
Every patron who walked up to the table was more than happy and delighted to purchase an item for the fund. With so many families who lost everything, a sale this wide could truly provide help and groceries to those in need. A water bottle for 2 dollars and a tote bag for 10 dollars, served as a price point and patrons did not hesitate to be kind and help by making a purchase.
There was also a coat drive where patrons visiting the show could bring in any coats that would be given to the shelters and schools.
Patrons walked the aisles, and perused out of state exhibitor’s booths filled with trays of their signature product samples. There was also a stand-alone path towards the grand Barnes and Noble Signing Section, which was inclusive of hardcover baking books, chocolate calendars, pastry along with autographed copies of famous Pastry Chef Francois Payard’s recently new book “Chocolate Epiphany”.
In the Kid Zone, many energetic kids ran in with their parents walking beside them to create holiday crafts and play with the several interactive chocolate themed activities made exclusively for the show. It can be seen that from the beginning of the show, the kids’ excitement grew as they participated at the crafts area. Soon, more groups came by the round craft tables’ eager to get working on building chocolate turkeys, and handmade chocolate dipped spoons for a cup of hot chocolate.
The event was filled with a crowd, and by mid-afternoon, it was overflowing with children, strollers, and families eager to have a joyful time at this year’s show. It was filled with abundant entertainment consisting of culinary demonstrations, creative and edible arts and crafts for the younger children, including fudge, truffle and wine tastings for the older attendees.
One highlight of the show was the stellar product promotion displayed by the two Chocolate Dessert Company that had created a large gathering of attendees who could not get enough of their tempting collection of chocolates and sweets. The whole show was filled with laughter and smiles by children and their families.
As a volunteer, we stood all day and took only a few breaks to ensure that the event went smoothly. We each were placed in different stations, from maintaining the line outside, to working with the kids in their very own chocolate –inspired playground called the Kids Zone. Despite the cold weather outside, many of the attendees took of their coats and walked the aisles to participate in the show. With chocolatiers, pastry chefs and candy entrepreneurs at their booth, any boxes of chocolate were sold and the fund sales increasingly grew. From decadent homemade buttercrunch of Roni Sue Chocolates, to the Peanut Butter and chocolate brownie offered at the Peanut Butter and Co, there was a wide variety of gourmet and comforting wrapped candies.
As a volunteer in the kid zone and the merchandise booth, I experienced meeting two families from Harlem who was very grateful for the fun activities and break from reality of the Hurricane. Overall, the show was crowded but proved to be simply amazing; the end of the day program consisted of several hourly culinary demonstrations hosted by renowned chefs, and professional pastry chefs successfully entertained and delighted their audience with tasty recipes and delicious samples of their finished desserts.
This was an excellent event in the midst of the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and families had a chance to do something special as a whole.