Lewisburg Chocolate Festival returns to downtown Lewisburg on Apr. 8 and 9. Tickets are $1 each and are available online at lewisburgchocolatefestival.com or in person at Greenbrier Valley CVB, cash or check only at the CVB. Call 800-833-2068 or local 304-645-1000 for more information.
The walkable, picturesque downtown of Lewisburg becomes even more inviting during its annual chocolate festival. Downtown shops and eateries, along with professional confection makers and local nonprofits offer individual chocolate samples for a ticket. By design, the chocolate tastings are located inside the shops to lure the participants into a little shopping along with the tasting.
The spectrum of chocolates is exceptional this year with old favorites, such as double dark chocolate ice cream and espresso brownies, to the new and creative, such as a white chocolate honey and mango torte and dark chocolate tulip cups filled with ganache and white chocolate orange blossom yogurt mousse. There are tastings aimed at kids such as the milk and dark chocolate fountain and Oreo truffles. This year, adult-only samples will be popular with no less than five samples with booze like Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout, Moscato Dessert Wine, Chocolate Martini, frozen chocolate covered banana shot and frozen white chocolate covered strawberry shot.
The chef demonstrations are always popular and this year they include the Greenbrier Executive Master Chef Jean Francois Suteau on Saturday at 1 p.m. at City National Band and Certified Master Chef Rich Rosendale at 2 p.m. at Greenbrier Valley Visitor Center.
Rosendale will also attend the Greenbrier Valley premier of “The Contender” at Greenbrier Valley Theatre on Saturday night at 7 p.m. This documentary follows Rosendale and Corey Siegel as they prepared to represent the United States in the Bocuse d’Or. Called the pinnacle of cooking competitions, the Bocuse d’Or is held biannually in Lyon, France.
Other Events:
Friday, April 8
Inherent Vice, Lewis Theatre, Lewisburg, 7 p.m.
Seldom Scene, Carnegie Hall, Lewisburg, 7:30 p.m. Carnegiehallwv.org
Saturday, April 9
HospiceCare 10K Chocolate Chase, Greenbrier Valley Airport, 9 a.m. Lewisburgchocolatefestival.com/chocolatechase
Chocolate Festival Brunch, Greenbrier County Public Library, 9 to 11 a.m. 304-647-7568
Free Showing of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Lewis Theatre, Lewisburg, 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., 304-645-6038
Live Music, Black King Coal, Green Space, 11 a.m., Free
Chocolate Bake Off, Premier Bank (formerly First National Bank), 10 a.m. Registration, 11 a.m. Judging, Tastings after judging
Chocolate Mousse Eating Contest, Stella’s Restaurant, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration, age 5 to 9, 1 p.m.; age 10 to 14, 1:30 p.m.; age 15+, 2 p.m.
Cooking Demonstration, Chef Jean-Francois Suteau, City National Bank, 1 p.m., Free
Children’s Story Telling, Green Space, 1 p.m., Free
Cooking Demonstration, Chef Rich Rosendale, Greenbrier Valley Visitors Center, 2 p.m., Free
Live Music, Second Block Rock, Green Space, 2:30 p.m., Free
Friday and Saturday
Restaurant Dinner Specials – Prices vary at each establishment
The French Goat – Steak et Hommard avec Sauce du chocolate: Grilled Ribeye and poached lobster, crisp Oxtail McCair potato, White chocolate Fennel Silk, baby vegetables and mild chocolate jus. Thefrenchgoat.com
The Asylum – Homemade Chocolate Cheesecake with salted caramel sauce. Lewisburgasylum.com
Del Sol Cantina – Coffee Encrusted Pork Tenderloin topped with mole and served with roasted vegetables and pickled onions. Facebook.com/DelSolCantinaGrille
Food & Friends – Pepper crusted beef tenderloin with a chocolate port sauce includes smashed red potatoes, veggie medley includes chocolate bread pudding for dessert. Foodandfriendslewisburgwv.com
