On Thursday night, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago hosted its holiday-themed World of Chocolate event at the Hilton Chicago. Offering treats from 28 vendors that included hotels, restaurants, and chocolate companies, the menu had everything from cookies to candy dreidels.
Chris Matthews, the nonprofit's director of fund-raising events, said that the biggest difference between this year's event and its previous iterations was a new honorary co-chair: Fritz Knipschildt, founder of Norwalk Connecticut's Knipschildt Chocolatier and Chocopologie Cafe.
Knipschildt was the guest of honor and a judge in a contest that awarded prizes for the best chocolate creations. "Having him there added a little extra oomph," Matthews said. "The vendors were very excited to have him taste their creations, and to benefit from his expertise."
Other changes included the omission of a holiday shopping bazaar. In the past, guest shopped for items like jewelry and Christmas cards in an area filled with donations from local businesses. "This year, we found it very difficult for corporations to donate products to sell," Matthews said. "To take the place of the bazaar, we had a photo booth where people could dress up with hats and boas and silly things." Planners also added a dance floor.
