Dreams come true at chocolate fest

A chocolate-lover's dream goes something like this: chocolate -- slathered over caramel, snuggled up to nougat, sweetly smothering cashews and pecans -- in a congress of confections as far as the eye can see and the nose can inhale.

The dream becomes reality again Saturday when NCO Youth and Family Services presents its fifth annual Chocolate Festival at the Neuqua Valley Freshman Center. And it's bound to be an even bigger and better assault on the senses than it was in years past.

"We've doubled the amount of vendors that we had from last year," said Dawn Portner, who heads up special events for NCO. "We had six last year and now we have 12."

Vendors will dole out free samples in the hopes of creating chocolate cravings to be satisfied only by buying their products, available for purchase at the fair.

But that's not all chocolate-lovers will find at this benefit for NCO, a Naperville-based social services agency.

Beyond the mountains of milk chocolate, dark chocolate and white chocolate, they'll find demonstrations, contests and entertainment.

The festival's third annual chocolate contest challenges contestants to serve the theme "My Favorite Things" using chocolate building materials. Non-chocolate materials may be used to complete construction, Portner said, but there's a limit.

"It has to be (at least) 60 percent chocolate," she said.

The judging panel will include Alain Roby, an expert who knows a thing or two about using chocolate to create stately sculptures.

"He holds the world's record for building the tallest chocolate sculpture," Portner said.

In 2006, Roby, pastry chef at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago, built a replica of Rockefeller Center, the Chrysler building and the Empire State Building that towered about 22 feet in the air.

Portner said anyone who can impress Roby deserves kudos.

"He's going to be a good judge," she said.

This year, Portner said, a new category, for non-profit organizations, has been added to the chocolate contest. Contestants also can compete as residents or as professionals, she said.

The day's events also will include a truffle-making demonstration by Aisha Cooks, a pastry chef who teaches at Robert Morris College; a talk about the health benefits of consuming dark chocolate from Cathy Bouchard, owner of Le Chocolat Bar; and a demonstration by Kevin Molidor, a Downers Grove-based chef who has appeared on the Food Network.

There also will be a cake-decorating demonstration by Cindy Alston of Wilton and a pastry-making demonstration by Stephanie Penick. Marcus Moody, executive chef at Tommy Nevin's Pub in Naperville, will demonstrate, with his son, how kids can successfully maneuver in the kitchen to help their elders produce chocolate candies, Portner said.

Theater, dance and magic are on the entertainment bill for the day, she said.

Event proceeds help fund NCO's programs for youth and families.

"It was our best day last year. We had 1,500 people," Portner said.

The festival generated about $15,000 last year to support NCO's programs such as counseling, school Snowball programs, guidance for young parents and shelter for boys and young men in transition.

If you go

What: Fifth annual Chocolate Festival to benefit NCO Youth and Family Services

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday

Where: Neuqua Valley Freshman Center, 3320 Cedar Glade Drive, Naperville

Cost: $6 for adults, $3 for seniors and children ages 5 to 17, free for younger children

Info: (630) 961-2992 or ncoyouth.com