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Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival

The 19th annual festival dedicated to yum yum awesomeness
By - posted 9/13/2014 No Comment

From vanilla beans to caramel fillings, indulge in it all at the 19th Annual Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival happening in San Francisco’s Ghirardelli Square on September 13-14, 2014.

Over 30 vendors generously donate sample-sized portions of their products to help raise money for Project Open Hand. And while it’s a little expensive to actually sample some chocolate ($20 for 15 chocolate samples, which you can purchase in advance), there are also plenty of free events to enjoy like chef demonstrations from chocolatiers, cupcake bakers and mixologists, and ice-cream sundae eating contests.

2014 Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival
September 13-14, 2014 | Noon to 5 pm
Ghirardelli Square, SF
Free entry, but chocolate samples must be purchased.

> View Full Schedule of Events

2014 Chef Demo Schedule

Saturday, 9/13 at the Wente Culinary Stage (West Plaza)

  • Noon to 12:30 pm – Stephen Durfee (Culinary Institute of America)
  • 1-1:30 pm — Steve Genzoli, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company “Chocolate School”
  • 2:30-3:30 pm — Ice Cream Eating Contest
  • 4-4:30 pm — Winemaker Studio Seminar by LeeAnn Kaufman (Wente Vineyards)

Sunday, 9/14 at the Wente Culinary Stage (West Plaza)

  • Noon to 12:30 pm – Kevin Villalovos (Grand Hyatt San Francisco)
  • 1-1:30 pm — Steve Genzoli, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company “Chocolate School”
  • 2:30-3:30 pm — Ice Cream Eating Contest
  • 4-4:30 pm — Chocolate and Beer Pairing Seminar by Brandon Nash (Speakeasy Ales and Lagers)