Unwrapping The Chocolate Bar

Cioppino was well represented by pastry chef Meghann Walsh and asst. GM Dominick Mastrogiacoma, who served Dark Chocolate Truffles, Chocolate Covered Bacon, Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Balls, Chocolate Turtles, and Chocolate Marshmallow.

Cioppino was well represented by pastry chef Meghann Walsh and asst. GM Dominick Mastrogiacoma, who served Dark Chocolate Truffles, Chocolate Covered Bacon, Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Balls, Chocolate Turtles, and Chocolate Marshmallow.

The ornate lobby and promenades of Benedum Center were recently turned into a showcase of chocolate creations from some of the city’s best restaurants and chocolatiers. The Chocolate Bar, a fundraiser for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust held this past Saturday night, featured chocolate treats for attendees to both admire and consume.

On the adventurous side were Superior Motors chef Kevin Sousa’s Chocolate Cylinder, Vallozzi’s Chocolate Ravioli, and Tonic Bar & Grill’s Candied Butternut Squash Chocolate Lollipops with Spiced Nuts. For those whose tastes are a little more on the simpler side, there was Bill’s Bar & Burger’s Milk Chocolate Campfire Pudding and a fine chocolate cake from Monterey Bay Fish Grotto. Also on hand were the slightly pedestrian, but oh so tasty, chocolate covered pretzels and several different flavors of malted milk balls from local chocolate purveyors Sarris Candies and The Chocolate Moose respectively. More of a cookie person? Gaby et Jules brought different flavored macarons and The Capital Grille baked a big batch of chocolate cookies for devouring. There was even a station where you could decorate your own piece of chocolate candy, and the bars offered chocolate-inspired cocktails in addition to their regular items.

A big slice of entertainment was also served with aerialist Kelsey Keller, DJ SMI, the band Delicious Pastries, and NBC’s “The Voice” finalist Mia Z. A Haute Chocolate fashion show went on throughout the evening with models wearing outfits from local artists; the show was curated by Richard Parsakian. Artist Tom Mosser worked on a painting with regular paint and different flavors (and colors) of Hershey’s Syrup.

At only $25, The Chocolate Bar Fundraiser offered a great deal of value. Included with admission was a lot of delicious chocolate, a drink ticket, and a one-year membership to the Cultural Trust. The event sold out weeks in advance and was produced by Acrobatique and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Here’s hoping for a river of chocolate next year!

Please click on photo below to activate event photos slideshow.

 

 

Story and photos by Rick Handler, Entertainment Central’s executive producer.

 

 

Share on Social Media

Posted in

Rick Handler

Follow Entertainment Central

Sign up for the EC Newsletter

Latest Stories

Entertainment Central Pittsburgh promo