Chocolate Curling in Italy?

[Debi Lander]

Ski in Chocolate? Sounds like fun ...
but I learned to make chocolate
truffles in Florida.

Italy’s Cortina d’Ampezzo announced it will stage a ski race with a
chocolate theme during the Eurochocolate
Festival held in the famous Italian ski town from December 16-19th.

It is the very first time that the International Chocolate Festival,
Eurochocolate, takes place at altitude and the race is just the tip of a
chocolatey iceberg. Eurochocolate Ski will offer chocolate experiences
directly on the slopes or skiers can warm up with an invigorating cup of
thick hot chocolate in one of the traditional mountain chalets.

Those who prefer can indulge their desires at a downtown Chocolate
Slalom. The Audi Palace, a village of tents, will host a ChocoMarket
with sweet exhibitions, an educational chocolate experience for
children, chocolate-tasting classes for adults, a chocolate spa and
beauty treatments. And since virtually every winter sport is practiced
in Cortina, there will be Chocolate Curling. Now, that I'd like to see.

Unfortunately, I won't be making it to Cortina, but recently attended a local chocolate festival of sorts. Peterbrooke Chocolate of
Jacksonville gave a hands-on demonstration at the International Food, Wine and Travel
Writers Association workshop. Phyllis Geiger, Peterbrooke's owner,
taught the group how to make truffles, even allowing attendees the
opportunity to get down and dirty in the tempered liquid. My fingers
never tasted so good. Peterbrooke
is famous for introducing chocolate popcorn to the South. I watched a
batch being prepared but,of course, the best part was nibbling the
finished product.