The 29th Annual Harry K Foundation Chocolate Festival was held March 9 at the Atlantic Sands Hotel and Conference Center in Rehoboth Beach.
Local restaurants and bakers filled the Swan Ballroom with unique and traditional chocolate goodies. The competition was split into eight categories: brownie, cake, candy, cookie, pie and fudge items, ice cream, other, showpiece and Best of the Best.
Chocolate-lovers came through the various stations in four different time frames and filled their containers with their favorite treats. Over the years, the chocolate festival has evolved from a contest to a restaurant promotion.
All proceeds from this event will go directly to feeding hungry children throughout Delaware, through the Harry K Foundation’s School Food Pantries, Backpack Program and Baby Pantry.
The Harry K Foundation now has 40 food pantries in schools across the state, 650 backpacks that are sent home with students on weekends, and is also collaborating with the Department of Education to reduce bills for those whose income is just above the free school meal program level.
![Harry K Foundation president and founder Harry Keswani shares a moment with celebrity chef and chocolate festival judge Vincent Tropepe. Tropepe also brought some books to sign at the event. Harry K, Chocolate Festival](/sites/capegazette/files/2019/03/field/image/DSC_7337.jpg)
![Big Fish Premium Bakery pastry chef Rhiannon Lorah sits with her Best of the Best trophy. Lorah’s ribbons are for first place in the cake and ice cream categories and second place in the cookie and brownie categories. Harry K, Chocolate Festival](/sites/capegazette/files/2019/03/field/image/DSC_7460.jpg)
![Olivia Henning, Eden’s pastry chef, stands with her three first place showpiece blue ribbons. Henning also placed first in the cookie and candy categories. Harry K, Chocolate Festival](/sites/capegazette/files/2019/03/field/image/DSC_7457.jpg)
![Laura Pepper, left, and Michelle Johns have their trays filled with their favorite treats, while Isaiah sleeps tucked away in Pepper’s sling. Harry K, Chocolate Festival](/sites/capegazette/files/2019/03/field/image/DSC_7339.jpg)
![Bucky’s BBQ from Newark placed first in the Other category for its Chocolate Cloud, chocolate covered cotton candy. Shown handing a piece of Chocolate Cloud to Mike Vari is Colleen Nomasky. Harry K, Chocolate Festival](/sites/capegazette/files/2019/03/field/image/DSC_7344.jpg)
![The Ice Cream Shop Manager Jasmine Mays, right, passes a cup of ice cream to Connie Smith. The Ice Cream Shop placed first in the brownie category for The Waffle. Harry K, Chocolate Festival](/sites/capegazette/files/2019/03/field/image/DSC_7351.jpg)
![Chef Tim Haley from Blackwall Hitch points out some of his specialties to Kelly Gillespie. Blackwall Hitch placed third in the ice cream category and third in the cake category. Harry K, Chocolate Festival](/sites/capegazette/files/2019/03/field/image/DSC_7356.jpg)
![Jacob and Savannah Stafford of East Coast Creamery stand behind their third-place Showpiece winner, Octopus. Harry K, Chocolate Festival](/sites/capegazette/files/2019/03/field/image/DSC_7359.jpg)
![The Mug and Spoon was serving a blueberry spice mocha cold brew. Shown are (l-r) Manager Daneen Bender, Owner Kyle Ten Eyck, Aaron Walker and Heidi VanLuven. Harry K, Chocolate Festival](/sites/capegazette/files/2019/03/field/image/DSC_7360.jpg)