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January 19, 2010

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Sweetest event in town: Extravaganza of chocolate

ALL things chocolate are coming to town, and delicious dresses good enough to eat will be modeled in the world's biggest chocolate exhibition. Chocoholics can indulge from Thursday through Saturday at the Shanghai Exhibition Center. Fei Lai reports.

Chocolate fountains, statues, fashions, high heels, cell phones, souffles - and delicious candies, of course - are on offer in the world's biggest chocolate extravaganza and trade show from Thursday through Saturday.

Chocoholics can indulge to their hearts' content in the sensual treats of milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, chocolate with liqueur, nuts, fruits and flavors of all kinds.

All things chocolate, treats for the palate and the eye, will be presented in Le Salon du Chocolate at the Shanghai Exhibition Center.

In the economic downturn, fine chocolates are still affordable, a luxury that makes people feel good. No one, it seems, can resist the seduction of chocolate.

Europe's most famous chocolatiers and pastry chefs will join with internationally renowned fashion designers to stage a mouthwatering fashion show of 10 fanciful, colorful chocolate gowns that are good enough to eat. The theme is "Opera."

Special ingredients and techniques ensure that the gown won't melt on the models' bodies.

The fashion show is a traditional part of the opening Chocolate Night festivities of the exhibition that began in Paris in 1994.

This is the second year in China, which chocolate makers and chocolatiers see as a vast untapped market where chocolate is not part of traditional food culture.

Culinary and artistic talents come together in three days of chocolate-making performances, exhibitions, tastings and trade show workshops and networking.

On Thursday's Chocolate Night, media personalities and celebrities will gather to celebrate the cocoa bean and all the confections that it represents.

Chinese and international chefs will demonstrate the mysteries of chocolate making. The world's best-known chocolatiers will have booths.

Since it started in 1994, Le Salon du Chocolat has modernized chocolate in terms of image, flavors, colors and presentation.

Le Salon du Chocolate has been held in Paris, New York, Tokyo, Moscow and Beijing (last year). This year it will be presented in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Turin, Italy, Madrid and other capitals of sophistication.

The exhibition, supported by the French Ministry of Foreign Trade, aims to promote chocolate to China, which is seen as virtual virgin territory, the market with the biggest potential in the world.

Le Salon includes a business center that brings together all kinds of chocolate professionals - chocolatiers, chocolate manufacturers, distributors, importers, retail outlets, growers and others.

"In the retail market, China is going through a discovery phase for chocolate as it is not part of its food culture," says Pierre Tabarie, brand manager for the Asia-Pacific of Valrhona, one of the exhibitors.

"There is obvious difference in demand from one city to another when it comes to quality chocolate. Demand for pure dark chocolate for both health and taste is increasing, however, consumption of milk chocolate is still higher," he says.



Date: January 21-23, 9am-5pm

Venue: Shanghai Exhibition Center, 1000 Yan'an Rd M.

Admission: 60 yuan for adults, 30 yuan for children

Visit www.ticketmaster.cn or call 400-707-9999. For information, check www.salonduchocolat.cn.




 

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