Sarah Helzer, assistant executive pastry chef of The Greenbrier Gina Lang, owner of Greenbrier Valley Baking Company
Chef Demonstrations at the Chocolate Festival Saturday, Apr. 12, the Lewisburg Chocolate Festival comes to Downtown Lewisburg. Beyond the tasting extravaganza, there are several free events which promise to make the festival a favorite for everyone in the family. Chef demonstrations by two of the most distinguished pastry chefs in the area will take place on Saturday afternoon.
At 1 p.m. in the lobby of City National Bank, Sarah Helzer, assistant executive pastry chef at The Greenbrier, will present. The event is free to the public, but seating is limited. City National Bank is located at 109 S. Jefferson Street at the intersection of Washington Street in Lewisburg. Sarah joined the Greenbrier Hotel in June 2012 following her graduation in Cleveland, Ohio. She started as a pastry cook and then accepted a pastry apprenticeship. She then spent the 2012-2013 winter season at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida. Upon returning to The Greenbrier in the spring she became the Banquet Pastry Chef and then Assistant Executive Pastry Chef in the fall of 2013. Chef Helzer will present demonstrations featuring a Chocolate Lemon Tart and chocolate flowers and decoration techniques. Helzer will also share some samples of various chocolate delights!
At 2 p.m. in the Greenbrier Valley Visitors Center, Gina Lang, executive pastry chef and owner of Greenbrier Valley Baking Company will present. The event is also free to the public. The Visitors Center is located at 200 W. Washington Street in Lewisburg. Family played an important role in establishing Gina Lang’s love for the culinary arts. Following her graduation from the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, Gina accepted a position at The Greenbrier. It was during this experience that she realized that she preferred a smaller kitchen environment. Fortunately for Greenbrier County, Gina decided to stay in downtown Lewisburg. Gina, with her husband, Todd, opened The Greenbrier Baking Company in 2000. Chef Lang will present “Cocoa Powder vs. Chocolate” focusing on the health benefits of cocoa powder. Audience members can participate in an official taste test pitting brownies made with cocoa powder vs. chocolate.
For more information on events at the Lewisburg Chocolate Festival or to purchase tasting tickets visit www.lewisburgchocolatefestival. com. Tickets may also be purchased in person at Greenbrier Valley Visitors Center, 200 W. Washington Street through Friday at 5 p.m. The Lewisburg Chocolate Festival is sponsored by MonPower, a First Energy Company; Chapman Technical Group; and Shoney’s of Lewisburg.