This January 14 to February 14, the 13th annual Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival is brewing up and a bigger and better festival than ever.

As the first city-wide celebration using hot chocolate to support small business and keep us warm on winter days. Presented by CityFood Media, this year’s Festival finds 143 flavours at 95 of the region’s best chocolatiers, pastry shops, bakeries, cafes, gelato and ice cream makers creating delicious hot chocolate. Flavours include creations like: “Bel Paese”- classic Italian dark chocolate, Calabrian chili, and bergamotto citrus, served with zabaione, or your choice of gelato from Motorella. Giovane Caffe serves “Mandorlata Calda” – highlighting the traditional Italian Almond flavour through rich cocoa powder and creamy almond butter along with a hint of cinnamon, topped with cinnamon sprinkles and crushed almond bits, served with a side cantucci cookie. At Super Veloce you’ll be served “Miura SV/ Alfa Romeo Farina” – a Macadamia Maca Dark Hot chocolate topped with cocoa and maca, served with a Pistachio Power Ball. Step inside to avoid the rain and sip on Honolulu Coffee’s “the Raincouver” – a 70% dark hot chocolate with pink Himalayan salt melting a cloud of suspended cotton candy.
Over the Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival duration, many locations are serving two different flavours of hot chocolate creations so be sure to visit and taste more than once. With offerings available for takeout or sip-in service, many of the offerings offering gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options there’s sure to be a flavour to suit everyone. Check out the vendor list and digital map online to discover your new fave hot chocolate flavour.
Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival also supports three charitable endeavours Fresh to Families, Growing Chefs and its own new Marshmallow Dreams project which offers accredited charitable organizations to help disadvantaged children with coupons that can be redeemed for free hot chocolate drinks by the children.
For a chance at winning some of the over $1500 in prizes from participating vendors, be sure to share your drinks on your Instagram feed (not story) to enter the Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival photo contest with the tag #HCVphotocontest.
