Baltimore's Annual Chocolate Festival!

Now THIS is the event I've been waiting for. When my dad was still working at UMMS, just a few steps away from Baltimore's famous Lexington Market, he would take my siblings and I to the Annual Chocolate Festival every October. And as much as I protested saying goodbye to summer, I knew the fall season would bring chocolate and more chocolate!

Attending the event as Miss Maryland United States certainly added a new dimension to the experience but it was just as I remembered-- although I'll have to admit I was never witness to the chocolate eating contest, which I had the pleasure of judging this afternoon. Two second year University of Maryland Medical students, 4 chocolate treats and less than a minute each (2 chocolate covered strawberries, my personal favorite chocolate strawberry shortcake, the biggest chocolate cupcakes I've ever seen and a fudge dipped apple) made for an entertaining time!

The festival will be running through to the weekend-- enjoy live music and the best eats (and sweets) in town! Speaking of live music, I walked away with a set of new drumsticks from "Inquiring Minds," today's band. Now all I need is a drum set! And you can't go to the Market without stopping by Faidley's for their award-winning lump crab cakes-- Bill, thank you so much for my delicious dinner tonight!

Hello to my new friend Pat Borque-- watch WBAL tonight for coverage of the event! Thanks to Darlene, the Marketing and Promotions Manager at the Market as well as the vendors who sent me away with a bag full of goodies! Below are photos of Darlene with the contestants (Priscilla and Qadira), daddy and my brother Paul as well as the friendly gentleman from Moore's chocolates.