Forget the marshmallows and tin of cocoa. More exotic flavours of lavender mocha and toasted strawberry were tapped to raise funds for a local food charity.
YYC Hot Chocolate Fest has wrapped up its most successful event ever, with 79 restaurants, chocolatiers and baristas participating and 90 signature drinks concocted for the sixth year of the competition which raises money for Meals on Wheels. This year, more than $30,000 was raised for the home delivery program which serves more than 253,000 meals to Calgarians in need.
Some of the ingredients used in the wide variety of drinks included tea infused with chocolate, peanut butter, chocolate truffles and dulce de leche, Frangelico with a candied-bacon rim and salted caramel with espresso vodka. Marshmallows did show up in at least one drink in the form of s’mores with an optional marshmallow vodka. No campfire required for that one.
During February, more than 2,650 customer reviews were posted from which three winners have been chosen. Best Spirited Hot Chocolate goes to The Aztec by Vendome Cafe, Best Hot Chocolate is the Taj Mahal by The Bean Stop and Euphoria Cafe has been awarded the honorary Cup That Runneth Over, recognizing an outstanding contribution to Meals on Wheels as a result of the festival.
Part of the proceeds from each special drink created during the past month will help subsidize Meals on Wheels client fees. The non-profit, which has served Calgary for at least 50 years, delivers more than 1,700 meals each day to those unable to cook for themselves.
