The 15th Annual New York Chocolate Show

November 9-11th marked the 15th anniversary of The New York Chocolate Show at the Metropolitan Pavilion. The festivities kicked off with a press breakfast on November 9th, with a cooking demonstration by Zac Young, from Top Chef Season 1. Zac walked us through making rich, decadent Chocolate Bacon Hazelnut Sticky Buns. Zac wanted to create something that brought out all the nuances of chocolate - salty, sweet and savory. Here are some tips on creating the sticky buns: use apple with smoked or dry cured bacon, for a vegetarian version, substitute bacon with butter and bake the bacon in the oven at 275 or 300 degrees. If you get a craving for these Chocolate Bacon Hazelnut Sticky Buns, you can find them at David Burke Kitchen at The James Hotel in Soho.

Zac Young making Chocolate Bacon Hazelnut Sticky Buns

During the press breakfast Paul Joachim worked on creating a cake sculpture of Lucille Ball, inspired by the I Love Lucy chocolate episode. The sculpture is cake from base to shoulders, with the head made out of chocolate. 

Marie Antoinette chocolate sculpture

Leaves and vines made out of chocolate

Sugar Plumm chocolate displays at the press breakfast

After the press breakfast, I worked around the show floor to check out over 45 national and international chocolate companies showcasing chocolate and chocolate-inspired confections, from chocolate bars and truffles to chocolate wines and delectable chocolate baked goods. Take a look at highlights from this year's show.

Tache Artisan Chocolatier

John & Kira's Chocolates

MarieBelle New York

screme Gelato Bar - amazing flavors like Figs & Tequila

Oliver Kita Chocolates - vegan, organic and fair trade chocolates, including a best-seller and my favorite: Cognac Crème Brulée

Chocolate Shop

Quady Winery favorites: Red Electra California Muscat Wine and Electra California Orange Muscat Wine

Paul Joachim working on the Lucille Ball cake sculpture and life-size sculptural piece of a NYC woman holding a champagne glass

Jean Luc Pele at work, whisking up a chocolate decadence

Valrhona Chocolate 

I love Maison Boissier's colorful ball candies housed in tins inspired by vintage powder cases

Maison Boissier

Signature truffles by 5th Avenue Chocolatiere

ChocolatRouge Wines

Salt of the Earth Bakery

Fleur de Xocoatl

Patisserie Lac

For the first time at the New York Chocolate Show attendees were able to purchase chocolate lover tote bags and bracelets. French designer Agnès de Boissieu had designed limited edition “I love Chocolate” bracelets to show the world your passion for chocolate. The pink (raspberry) and dark brown (chocolate) bracelets are made of a small silver plate with a heart shaped cutout to express “I love chocolate!” 

This year The Chocolate Show also teamed up with New York Cares to run a coat and jacket drive for victims of Hurricane Sandy, in which attendees were encouraged to donate a new or gently used warm jacket. Learn more about The Chocolate Show here.

- Kim Weling