Fourth Annual Caputo’s Chocolate Festival

This event is crazy-fun every single year, and keeps getting better and better. Press release info:

With a spotlight on Salt Lake City-based Solstice Chocolate at the Fourth Annual Caputo’s Chocolate Festival, local restaurateurs and beverage purveyors will craft chocolate-centric preparations to benefit the Heirloom Cacao Preservation Initiative.

Solstice Chocolate, Salt Lake City’s first bean-to-bar chocolate company, is owned and operated by Scott and DeAnn Querry. Their skillful chocolate making produces straightforward bars that scream the origin of the cacao beans loud and clear. Terroir is never a mystery with Solstice. “Some would call their style loud and brash,” says Matt Caputo, CEO of Caputo’s Market & Deli. “But when the notes are as clean and pure as this, I say rock on!”

At this year’s festival, five chefs and local mixologists will use one of Solstice’s five bars to showcase sweet, savory, and boozy applications of the Salt Lake City craft-chocolate maker.

The all-star culinary lineup includes Chef Logan Crew of Current Fish & Oyster, Chef Tyler Stokes of Provisions, Pastry Chef Courtney McDowell of Pallet Bistro, Pastry Chef Amber Billingsley of 3 Cups, and Pastry Chef Alicia Pacheco of Rye Diner & Drinks. The tantalizing evening will begin with an amuse-bouche prepared by Chef Marshall Bryant of Caputo’s. Wine will be served by Francis Fecteau of Libation, Inc., beers will be poured by Avenues Proper, craft cocktails will be mixed by Beehive Bitters and Sugar House Distillery, and pour overs provided by La Barba Coffee Roasters.

“The raw energy behind Solstice Chocolate has their vibrant chocolate popping up on the best menus around town,” Caputo says. “The restaurant industry has never shown this level of support for a Utah craft-chocolate company.”

“For several years, chocolate geeks have known there is a revolution afoot,” Caputo continues. “Now, Salt Lake City chefs have been swept up in the excitement.” Attendees will see for themselves why Solstice Chocolate is overwhelmingly the chocolate of choice for these great chefs.

The fourth annual Caputo’s Chocolate Festival takes place on Thursday, Nov. 12, beginning at 7:15 PM, at the downtown Tony Caputo’s Market & Deli (314 W. 300 South, Salt Lake City). Admission is $35, plus $15 for optional alcohol beverage pairings. Space is limited, and tickets must be purchased in advance. Sign up by calling 801-531-8669 or visiting CaputosDeli.com