The 10th Annual Chocolate Festival is another sweet memory for families who spent the day enjoying fun, games and plenty of chocolate-flavored activities. The popular event is held at the Freshman Center at Neuqua Valley High School as a friend-fun-and-fundraiser for 360 Youth Services, a nonprofit agency founded more than 41 years ago to provide counseling and other social family services to the community.
The Chocolate Festival is a time to learn about a variety of chocolates from vendors. For instance, did you know that the average American consumes approximately 11.7 pounds of chocolate each year? That’s about two 1.5 oz. chocolate bars a week.
Families also find live entertainment, cooking demonstrations with a taste of chocolate, and many other bouncing activities spread throughout the school.
One of the added attractions is the Sweet Treats Baking Competition. Sweet Treats welcomes children and adults to enter homemade desserts and candies in four categories: Brownie/Bar, Cake, Candy and Cookies.
Entries vy for first, second and third-place ribbons and bragging rights until the next Chocolate Festival.
According to event organizer Dawn Portner, the Sweet Treats Competition has grown from 20 entries five years ago to 50 entries this year.
Mayor George Pradel swore in 20 judges, of which he was one, all vowing to be honest judges. Among the judges were Joanna Cook from Momma Cuisine, Naperville Fire Chief Mark Puknaitis, Chef Terrell Cole from Sullivan’s Steakhouse, CLTV anchor Dolly McCarthy, Naperville Sun food reporter Judy Buchenot, and Annette Wehrli of Naperville Trolley and Tours.
The goodies were judged on appearance, creativity and taste, using scores from 1 to 10. When all the judging was complete and tallied, the public was welcome to sample all the leftovers on the sumptuous buffet set up in the gymnasium with the yellow glow.
Sweet Treat Results
In the Brownie/Bar Category, Adult Division, winners were Lauren Gaither, first; Paula Farrell, second; and Tracy Melville, third.
In the Brownie/Bar Category, Child Division, the winners were Michael Killips, first, Lauren Theison, second; and Kevin Braner, third.
In the Cake Category, Adult Division, winners were Sara Carloss,Katie Caravello, and Ryan Madden.
In the Cake Category, Child Division, the winners were Ryan Theison, Kaley Letcher and Joe Theisen.
In the Candy Category, Adult Division, winners were Janet Dahmen, first; Ellen Coatney, second; and Joey Delahoussaye, third.
In the Candy Category, Child Division,winners were Lauren Theisen, first. (No other entries)
In the Cookie Category, Adult Division, winners were Kendra Kelbus, first; David Jording, second; and Tracey Pierce and Joey Delahoussaye tied for third.
In the Cookie Category, Child Division, winners were Lauren May, first; Lauren Theisen, second; and Meghan Gaither,third.
Triple Treats
During the awards’ ceremony, the names of three youngsters with the same last name were announced repeatedly. Afterward, 360 Youth Services Executive Director Ron Hume asked the three youngsters to pose for a photo.
After the photo was taken of Ryan Theisen, Thomas Theisen and Lauren Theisen, the PN photographer asked their ages.
Ryan and Lauren each answered, “Twelve.”
Before turning to Thomas for his age, the photographer noted, “Ah! Twins!”
And their mother said, “No. Triplets!”
Mayor Pradel noted the Theisen baking team had participated in the 2012 Sweet Treats Competition, too.
The triplets are pictured here with Kevin Dolan, Chairman of the Sweet Treats Competition.
Proceeds from the Chocolate Festival support the programs of 360 Youth Services, which provides life-changing services to young adults,school-aged youth, and their families through substance abuse prevention and education, counseling and support groups, and housing options.
