MSU Museum Chocolate Party Benefit 2012

The Michigan State University Museum held its 23rd Annual Chocolate Party Benefit February 26th, at their usual venue - the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center. This popular fundraising event is a showcase for chocolatiers from the Greater Lansing and Mid-Michigan area. It has been one of my most favorite culinary events I look forward to every single year!

This year the event takes its inspiration from a new "Cabinets of Curiosities" exhibit featuring rare and unusual natural -science specimens and historical objects from the MSU Museum's collection. The Chocolate Party Benefit is one of the few professional culinary events in the country open to general public with area chefs and culinary students competing to create elegant, edible masterpieces.





Guests also enjoyed museum's display while indulging themselves with all kind of chocolate creations - for a worthy cause. The MSU Museum stewards nearly 1 million objects, artifacts, and specimens, which are housed in four buildings across the MSU campus -- many dating back to the museum's founding more than 150 years ago. Recently, Chocolate Party proceeds have helped with the purchase of items such as protective cabinets and preservation equipment.


Toward to the end of an event, winners of the competition, as well as the People's Choice Vendor were announced and awarded.


Congratulations!

All participating sponsors were from all over Michigan. Local restaurants, caterers, bakeshops, candy makers, and other vendors shared their chocolate creations.

This year's participating chocolatiers included American Crepes, Awesome Chocolates, Bake N' Cakes, Caruso"s Candy Kitchen, How Sweet It Is, Second Floor Bakery, The Sweet Cake Company, and Wright Endings.

Until next year...


Source of information: Michigan State University Museum

Sushi Love at Maru

An evening at one of the best sushi in town I hadn't visited for a big while. Maru still serves up great food with the freshest ingredients, and terrific creativity.

Shrimp and vegetable tempura

Soy Joy Spicy tuna, albacore, cucumber with tempura crunch and soy paper topped with eel sauce, spicy mayo and fantacy sauce

Ocean's Eleven Salmon, cucumber, sprouts, kampyo topped with albacore and avocado, with spicy oyster glazed salad (organic greens, carrots, cucumber, asparagus)

And a good green tea ice cream completed a great dinner.

xoxo

More Good Eats at Fork In The Road

Another visit to Fork In The Road...
Sunday brunch with great company is the best!