Chocolatier Robyn Rice-Foster refuses to compromise when it comes to fashion and flavor, so she creates jewelry and shoes made entirely of chocolate. Robyn's delicious accessories will benefit the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, aidschicago.org, as she returns to its signature event, World of Chocolate on Thursday, December 2.
A year ago, Robyn Rice-Foster, a resident of Chicago's Austin neighborhood, bought a ticket to the AIDS fundraiser and submitted a recipe to the first annual Chocolate Bliss Recipe Challenge. Her Milk Chocolate Sweet Potato Pie Truffles were crowned the winner. Since then Robyn says she's been living "La Vida Cocoa." That win put her on the path to open her own chocolate company, La Paraisianne du Chocolat Company.
From guest to vendor, Robyn will be showcasing her chocolate works of art, along with cookies, cakes and her Sambuca Gingerbread Latte and Pumpkin Pie truffles. She will be among 30 of Chicago's finest chocolatiers, restaurants and caterers, providing treats and a light buffet for guest at World of Chocolate from 6 to 10 pm on Thursday at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave.
Danish chef and chocolatier Fritz Knipschildt is this year's Honorary Chair and celebrity judge. Knipschildt will also raffle off one of his unique creations, one of the most expensive truffles in the world.
The World of Chocolate benefit commemorates World AIDS Day, a worldwide effort to increase public awareness and encourage support and programming to prevent the spread of HIV infection. Since 1988, December 1 has been observed every year when an international summit of health leaders called for a greater exchange of information on HIV/AIDS in every country around the globe.
For more information and to reserve tickets, call (312) 922-2322 or visit aidschicago.org. General Admission is $100 in advance and $125 at the door.
Founded in 1985 by community activists and physicians, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) is a local and national leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS. AFC collaborates with community organizations to develop and improve HIV/AIDS services; fund and coordinate prevention, care, and advocacy projects; and champion effective, compassionate HIV/AIDS policy. To learn more, aidschicago.org.
WORLD OF CHOCOLATE
6 to 10 pm
Thursday, December 2
Chicago Hilton
720 S. Michigan, Chicago
(312) 922-2322
aidschicago.org
SAMPLES FROM THE WORLD OF CHOCOLATE SHOW ON ABC 7
- Chocolate art from La Parisianne du Chocolat, http://www.laparisianneduchocolat.com/
- Chocolate Clay Necklace - $30
- Chocolate Clay Bracelet - $15
- "Leatherized" Chocolate Pearl Necklace - $50
- Chocolate Shoe with Matching Shoe Box - $100
- 888.773.7870 or http://www.laparisianneduchocolat.com/
- Ring boxes made of chocolate from The Signature Room, SignatureRoom.com
- $40, made upon request
- 312.787.9596 or SignatureRoom.com
- Gift-wrapped boxes of toffee from Terry's Toffee, terrystoffee.com
- $59.99
- 312.733.2700 or terrystoffee.com
-
Chocolate lips from The Confection Diva, confectiondiva.com
- $14 each
- 773.710.9666 or confectiondiva.com
Celebrity Judges:
- Malika Ameen – Top Chef Contestant
- Valerie Beck – Chicago Chocolate Tours
- Richard Dayhoff – Apparel designer
- Billy Dec – CEO of RockitRanch Productions
- Fritz Knipschildt – World renowned chocolatier
- Steven Hamilton – Celebrated food photographer
- Jan Jeffcoat – WFLD-TV [FOX] anchor
- Miss Foozie – Notorious Chicago female impersonator
- Sarah Levy – Owner of Sarah's Candies
- Bill Pritchard – ChicagoPride
- Loni Swain – WGCI-FM on-air personality
ABOUT ROBYN RICE-FOSTE AND La Parisianne du Chocolat
Owner and Chocolatier of La Parisianne du Chocolat, Robyn Rice-Foster graduated in 2007 with Honors from the Professional School of Chocolate Arts, "L'Art Chocolat". She received additional training from several top Chocolate Masters in Paris France during the Salon du Chocolat at the Port of Versailles in 2007.
Robyn believes that making chocolate is "is a creative art from and an expression of love". She compares her creations to intimate relationships "very sensual, sweet, yet bitter, temper-mental, so, so good. . . yet very, very bad as well as erotic and unforgiving."
Her culinary skills started at a very young age in Evansville, Indiana while watching and assisting her mother make homemade pies and cakes from scratch. "I have always had a passion for the culinary arts, I find it relaxing, rejuvenating, stimulating... it is truly an art form but instead of a canvas, my medium is chocolate," she says
Robyn's culinary career catapulted in 2004 when she was commissioned by Unilever Cosmetic Representative to create a cookie for a Vera Wang promotion at Macy's flagship store in Chicago in honor of Mother's Day; followed by another big moment when she served her chocolate creations at Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Studio Cafeteria. Ms. Winfrey's guests, Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, Sean Combs, guest and staff were intrigued by Robyn's treats. In January, 2009, Robyn created chocolate delights for the cast and crew of ABC's Ugly Betty.
In December 2009, Robyn was the winner of the first-ever Chocolate Bliss Recipe Challenge at the eighth annual AIDS Foundation of Chicago's "World of Chocolate - Chocolate Bliss Competition" event held at the Chicago Hilton Hotel. Her winning recipe was the Milk Chocolate Sweet Potato Pie Truffle.
For more information contact La Parisianne du Chocolat Company at 888.773.7870 or parisianneduchocolate.com
