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By Renae Cowley
February 12, 2008 | LOGAN -- Death by chocolate
is not far from the truth, according to Blair
Larsen, six-year judge at the 21st annual Valentine
Chocolate Festival held Saturday at the Bullen
Center.
"It literally takes a two-day recovery period
from chocolate overload," said Larsen about the
required taste tests preformed by the judges on
the chocolate culinary creations.
Sponsored by Planned Parenthood Association
of Utah, this fundraiser and auction attracts
about 40 entrants in the amateur and professional
categories. The sweet treats are divided into
eight categories comprising professional creations,
brownies, cookies, cakes, chocolates, potpourri
(including pies, tarts, and non-traditional use
of chocolate), parent/child team creations and
teen entries.
Entrants range from people from within the community
to culinary arts students, as well as some caterers
and bakeries found in the valley.
Judges like Larsen are volunteers whose judging
criteria spans from taste, texture, appearance/presentation,
and creative use of chocolate. There are first-
through third-place winners in every category
and an overall winner in both the amateur and
professional categories.
The grand prize winner of the cake and amateur
division was baked and donated by Avalon Hills.
The winner of the professional category was Nancy
Sassano with her baklava.
Larsen judged the professional category this
year for the first time and "jumped at the chance."
After judging, the festival was opened up to
the public for tasting and people's choice voting.
The desserts were then auctioned.
Five cakes went for as high as $300, and the
highest selling entry was the Lamington Truffles
for $350. |
