The Chocolate Show!

Short blog tonight - I'm in Talequah, Oklahoma for a speaking engagement. But I am so excited, I wanted to share this with you! I may not be taking a big trip this year, but I am going to the Chocolate Show in NYC! Here's what "The Nibble" said about last year's show (my comments are in bold):

Are you passionate about chocolate? Or do you just really think it’s fun?
(That's us, right?)
If you can answer “yes” to either question, make sure you schedule at least one day in November for the The 10th Annual Chocolate Show. Or, spend all three strolling through 40,000 square feet devoted to chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate, at the Metropolitan Pavilion and Altman Building on 19th Street in New York City.
(Different location this year - see http://www.chocolateshow.com/ Think how much chocolate that is!! 40,000 square feet! It's a beautiful dream!)
Visitors to the show will have the opportunity to sample prestige American and International chocolates and attend more than 65 demonstrations given by top pastry chefs and chocolatiers. Chefs and authors will be on hand to sign their cookbooks (every year, it seems as if every book every written about chocolate is for sale at the show). To celebrate the 10th anniversary, there will be a week of mini events leading to the kick-off chocolate fashion show that traditionally opens the festivities on Thursday night.
(Sampling chocolate? What could be better than that?)
Among the companies showing their wares, those reviewed by THE NIBBLE include Charles Chocolates, Chocolat Michel Cluizel, Chocolat Moderne, Chocolove, Chuao Chocolatier, Dagoba, Fairytale Brownies, Guittard Chocolate Company, Jer’s Handmade Chocolates, John & Kira’s, Knipschildt Chocolatier, Lillie Belle Farms and Theo Chocolate (plus others, we’re sure). Two extensive new reviews of Dagoba and Lillie Belle Farms appear next month. So, we can guarantee that there will be a lot of GREAT chocolate to be had.
(TheNibble.com has some fantastic info about chocolate - well worth your time to check out.)
Last year, in addition to the chocolate itself, highlights of the show included the Chocolate Lounge, a place to relax and chocolate and drink pairings (including Godiva’s Truffletini paired with their platinum series chocolates); the Chocolate Spa, dedicated to chocolate-themed health products and treatments; and the Chocolate Art Walk, featuring paintings and sculpture made entirely from chocolate (the artworks were simply stunning, including an all-chocolate Mona Lisa).
(How awesome does all that sound? How can I blog about motivation and chocolate and NOT go?)
The Chocolate Show is part of a worldwide festival for the public produced by Event International, and event producers Sylvie Douce and François Jeantet. You can “follow the chocolate” all around the world. Other shows include:
Beijing
Moscow
Paris
Tokyo
(and NYC is much closer than any of those! The dates this year are November 7, 8, and 9 - I'm planning to go for the 8th and 9th - can't wait!)

What are you looking forward to? Plan something fun for yourself - life is short - LIVE it!