A Guide to the Annual International Chocolate Show

The Annual International Chocolate Show which takes place each year in Pier 94 in Manhattan, NYC, is an exhibition the bringing an incredible array of international chocolatiers and connoisseurs under one roof - for a weekend of food, wine, fashion, culinary commerce, and of course, chocolate. The event in recent years has opened with a chocolate-inspired fashion show featuring the collections of designers that will give visitors an interesting start to the exhibition. This year, Pier 94 will be host to continuing the tradition of the markedly popular international Chocolate Show originally created in Paris in 1995 by founders Sylvie Douce and François Jeantet of Salon du Chocolat, which has been featured in Paris, New York, Tokyo, Beijing, Moscow, and Shanghai. In 2007, the show boasted over 40,000 square feet of chocolate, 25,000 visitors, and almost 100 exhibitors.

In addition to the chocolate exhibitors, there will be sponsors such as The New York Times, as well as wine tastings from Qady Winery from California. Running in tandem with the Chocolate Show will be the internationally recognised food and drink event known as Tastings NYC. Filling over 75,000 square feet of pavilion space with vendor samples, the event will include such personalities as New York City chef Brad Farmerie and renowned mixologist Junior Merino. Tastings NYC sponsors Barnes and Noble bookstores will hold book signings for several culinary authors, and there will be several smaller pavilions available, with presentations also taking place in the Culinary Theatre.

The Chocolate Show exhibitors will have the opportunity to market their products and services through in-house promotional teams as well as via providing samples to attendees. Also, the French Culinary Institute will hold the American National Selection of the World Chocolate Masters competition on the final day of the event.

Also included throughout the event is the KidZone, where attending children will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities, such as learning to create portraiture in chocolate with artist Chanit Robson, using the FoodDoodler. This will allow them to indulge in the many delights the international chocolate community has to offer.

When travelling to the venue, luxury transportation services are available through Limores, and accommodation arrangements can be made with the event's partnering hotels such as the Wellington Hotel, Flatotel, Holiday Inn, and Le Parker Meridien NY. The Annual International Chocolate Exhibition is a fun and enjoyable event everyone interested in chocolate and you are unlikely to be disappointed.