Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-09-06
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

Returning World of Chocolate event nets $250K
by Vern Hester
2023-02-22

This article shared 3533 times since Wed Feb 22, 2023
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


On Feb. 17, AIDS Foundation of Chicago's (AFC) annual fundraiser, World of Chocolate returned after a three-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, the event was held in the main entry way of Union Station at 500 W. Jackson Blvd, and played host to over 1,000 guests and supporters. This 2023 edition hosted 22 chocolatiers who competed in various specialty categories while offering samples to guests. The event also featured a raffle and punchboard, with beats provided by DJ Marc "Moose" Moder along with a gourmet buffet.

AFC later announced that World of Chocolate had raised over a quarter of a million dollars. In a press release, AFC President and CEO John Peller said, "We are overwhelmed by the support of our community in making the return of 'World of Chocolate' a smashing success."

He added, "The overall trajectory of new HIV cases is going in the right direction. Events like 'World of Chocolate' help us to continue to provide access to comprehensive services such as housing, food, transportation, and care management—all of which contribute to successful outcomes for those vulnerable to living with HIV and moves us closer to zero transmissions by 2030."

Guest judges who officiated over the chocolatiers included Richard Dayhoff, Scott Duff, Valerie Beck, Candace Jordan, Paul Lisnek, Victoria LaPinske and Art "Chat Daddy" Smith. Winners included David Rubenstein Forum (in the "small Business" and "Savory" categories), JoJo's Shake Bar (for "Best Libation"), Ritz-Carlton (for "Best Large Business"), Black Rose Pastries/Steel City Bakery ("Best Sculpture") and Amy's Candy Bar (for "Best Sweet"). The Ritz-Carlton took home "The People's Choice Award."

Other participating chocolatiers included Chef Enrique Cortes, Al's Cookie Mixx, Noir D'Ebene et Chocolat et Patisserie, Vivere Chocolates, Superkhana International, Cocoa + Company, Blackout Baking Company, Vanille Patisserie, Cindy's, Jeppson's Malort, Terry's Toffee, Chocolate Uzma, The Chicago Marriott-Downtown Magnificent Mile, Chocolates by Maria, Eli's Cheesecake, Starbucks and Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland.

Proceeds from the event go towards connecting more than 5,000 clients with case management; training hundreds of medical professionals in preventive care, including PrEP; providing policy leadership in state and federal health equity systems; bridging housing and healthcare systems; and collaborating with partners across the state to achieve "Getting to Zero Illinois" (a state wide initiative to end new HIV transmissions in the state by 2030).

World of Chocolate was sponsored by, among others, Barry Callebaut, CH Distillery, Gilead, BMO Harris, Walgreen's, ITW, Janssen, PepsiCo and Molson Coors.


This article shared 3533 times since Wed Feb 22, 2023
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

'When Black queer people win, everybody wins': Foundation releases report to improve equity at community orgs
2023-11-28
In November, Lighthouse Foundation released its 2023 update on its research project, the Black Queer Equity Index, providing a guide that non-profit leaders can use to improve the experiences of marginalized employees and clients. Since 2020, ...


Gay News

YEPP 'rises' to occasion at fall fundraiser
2023-11-20
Members and guests of Youth Empowerment Performance Project (YEPP) gathered Nov. 17 at Chicago Theater Works, 1113 W. Belmont Ave., for the organization's fall fundraiser, Rise Up: Our Celebration of Resistance. The evening marked both the ...


Gay News

Chicagoans gather to mark the 2023 Trans Day of Remembrance
2023-11-20
Brave Space Alliance, Chicago Therapy Collective and Life is Work joined forces to celebrate Trans Day of Remembrance under the banner New Era Together Nov. 19 at Venue West, 221 N. Paulina St., on the West ...


Gay News

Victory Fund celebrates Midwest LGBTQ+ activists and officials
2023-11-19
On Nov. 15, the Victory Fund Midwest Chapter held its annual fundraiser and gala, "Victory in the Midwest," at Venue West. 221 N. Paulina St. The event honored Jim Bennett (formerly Lambda Legal's Chicago office manager ...


Gay News

Howard Brown Health Workers United members gather for post-strike rally
2023-11-16
Howard Brown Health (HBH) Workers United members held an evening post-Unfair Labor Practices (ULP) strike rally Nov. 15 in front of the new multi-story HBH Halsted clinic. It was the conclusion of their two-day strike that ...


Gay News

HRC's 2023 survey of cities, towns shows record support for LGBTQ+ residents; Chicago scores 100
2023-11-16
--From a press release - WASHINGTON—Te Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), in partnership with the Equality Federation, an advocacy accelerator rooted in social justice that builds power in a network of state-based LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations ...


Gay News

GLAAD to receive Television Academy's Governors Award
2023-11-15
The Television Academy announced LGBTQ+ media-advocacy organization GLAAD as the 2023 Governors Award recipient. Founded in 1985 by Vito Russo, author of The Celluloid Closet, and other LGBTQ advocates, GLAAD works with leaders in television, film, ...


Gay News

Rainbow wave: Historic number of LGBTQ+ Candidates elected in 2023
2023-11-08
--From a press release - Washington, DC — Over 200 out LGBTQ+ candidates won their elections in 2023 — including 148 tonight — more than in any other odd-numbered election year in U.S. history. The number of victories is expected to ...


Gay News

Black Excellence Awards winners named, inaugural Chicago Black Arts Hall of Fame inductees honored
2023-11-08
--From a press release - CHICAGO (Nov. 7, 2023)—The nonprofit Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago is proud to announce the winners of its 23rd Annual Black Excellence Awards, honored last night in a festive celebration at Black Ensemble Theater. ...


Gay News

HRC Chicago hosts 2023 celebration
2023-11-06
Photos by Kat Fitzgerald/MysticImagesPhotgraphy.com - The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Chicago held its annual fundraising dinner and auction the evening of Nov. 4 on at the Fairmont Chicago, 200 N. Columbus Dr. HRC Chicago's Community Leadership Award was presented to Jared ...


Gay News

Gay Games dealing with backlash, low turnout
2023-11-06
Gay Games 11 Hong Kong 2023 (which is also taking place in Guadalajara, Mexico) is taking place, but is contending with some obstacles, including political backlash and low registration numbers, media outlets have reported. According to ...


Gay News

30th anniversary of LGBTQ+ Bud Billiken Parade contingent celebrated
2023-11-06
The 30th Anniversary Ad Hoc Committee of Proud Black Lesbians and Gays celebrated the original Ad Hoc Committee of Proud Black Lesbians and Gays and members of the LGBTQIA+ community who in 1993 actively participated as ...


Gay News

Happy Hail-loween: Rough weather doesn't get the better of Haunted Halsted revelers
2023-11-03
The 26th annual Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade returned for the 26th time on Oct. 31. Attendees were challenged by a mix of rain, snow and hail as they marched down Halsted Street from Belmont Avenue towards ...


Gay News

Col. Jennifer Pritzker talks about philanthropy, Republican ties
2023-11-03
Col. Jennifer Pritzker is someone who firmly believes in giving. There's the transgender activist who has been supportive of many LGBTQ+-related causes. And, of course, there's the Jennifer Pritzker who spent almost three decades in the ...


Gay News

Report: More than 500 LGBTQ+ candidates ran for office in 2023
2023-11-02
--From a press release - Washington, DC — Today LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ+ leaders to public office, released its 2023 Out on the Trail report, the only annual report on the number and diversity ...


 


Copyright © 2023 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.