This January 15 to February 14, the newly renamed, Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival (formerly Hot Chocolate Fest) returns for the 12th year, bigger and better than ever.
Created to celebrate humble hot chocolate and help boost local small businesses, and warm our hearts during the West Coast Winter. Presented by CityFood Events, this year’s festival finds 44 ‘chocstars’ presenting over a hundred different flavour options from Whistler to White Rock. From Fluffernutter Hot Chocolate (Toasted peanut cocoa, whipped marshmallow, sourdough crumb) at any of Artigiano’s 12 locations, or Mink Chocolate’s Dr. Gustav Von Mink’s Booster Shot for Tranquility Seekers (35% milk chocolate from a chocolate syringe, served with a marshmallow truffle), to Uno Gelato two locations serving a Royal Midnight Float (Chocolat Michel Cluizel 85%; Guittard’s black cocoa; 99% cocoa from Valrhona; and non-alkalined cocoa from Venezuela, Midnight with Earl Grey tea- and lavender buds-infused water, sorbetto in vanilla rice milk, topped with caramelized, shaved almonds).
Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival offerings are available for takeout or cafe service. Many of the ‘chocstars’ are offering gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options. Check the vendor list, and digital map, online to find a flavour to fit your taste.
While you’re tasting, post your drinks on Instagram to enter the Hot Chocolate Festival photo contest. Tag your Instagram post (not story) with #HCVphotocontest to be entered to win part of the $1125 in prizes.