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More photos here:http://www.MysticImagesPhotography.com
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This year’s vendors/contestants included Delightful Pastries, Translucent Chocolates, Hotel Orrington, Chocolate Manor, Das Food LLC, Blommer Chocolate Store, Terry’s Toffee and the host hotel, to name a few. Celebrity judges such as local TV news personalities Dean Richards, Robin Robinson and Kathy Brock selected winners, and Calihan Catering (Hot Chocolate Award), Palmer House Hilton (Chocoholic’s Dream Award) and Cook Au Vin and Sweet Endeavours (Sweet Tooth Award) were among the top choices.
AFC Executive Director Mark Ishaug told Windy City Times that this gala—now the organization’s main annual fundraiser, considering the next spring benefit will not occur until 2010 (the foundation’s 25th anniversary)—was the most successful yet, bringing in 1,600 attendees. (He was hoping it would bring in over $200,000.) ‘This is really huge,’ he said. ‘This morphed from a small event called All the Trimmings; we made about $50,000. It continues to grew. People love it [and] the Hilton has just outdone itself.’
The event also featured entertainment, meat-and-potatoes fare (for those who wanted an alternative to chocolate), a silent auction and a holiday bazaar. Also, artist Eric Sosa submitted his paintings, and painted live at the benefit. Photos by Kat Fitzgerald.