Do you truly want to feel like a kid in a candy store? Well, there is no better place to indulge in that feeling than at The Chocolate Expo in Edison. This sweet tooth experience is for a core audience: those who love luxury sweets by small businesses. Think of the expo as a wine tasting but for chocolate; you get a sample to try while the vendor discusses the intricacies of each dessert. From truffles to decorated bonbons, there is enough chocolate to satisfy anyone looking to indulge.
History of The Chocolate Expo
While the expo now has a central chocolate focus, it originally was a curation of wineries, breweries, cheesemakers, specialty bakers and chefs. Marvin Baum founded the expo in 2006. He’s known for having planned the 35th Anniversary of Woodstock celebration. Also, Baum was asked to plan former governor George Pataki’s annual holiday party for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The festivity turned into a full chocolate event, leading to the creation of The Chocolate Expo.
What to Expect
The Chocolate Expo is one of the largest consumer-oriented events for chocolate in the United States. The event takes place annually at the New Jersey Expo Center in Edison. Typically, the expo hosts 30-90 vendors. This year, there is a wide variety of vendors attending the expo. For the Love of Toffee, Emalyn Sweets and Lily’s Chocolate Paradise are just a few of the businesses attending the event.
There are also a number of non-chocolate vendors that will be attending Edison’s chocolate-dedicated expo. One of them includes Laurel’s Butter, who is offering handcrafted peanut butter with many flavors ranging from honey crunch, carrot cake and rainbow cookie. There are a variety of other vendors selling wines, cheeses and specialty foods. All of the food and spirits are able to be paired with chocolate being sold at the event. If you have a dietary restriction, many of the vendors offer products that are sugar-free, organic, vegan, salt and gluten-free.
Attendees will also be able to enjoy live entertainment from DJ Chef, who was the first winner of Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen.” DJ Chef’s performance will feature him simultaneously cooking some of his signature dishes while also deejaying. He has played and cooked at multiple food festivals and conventions along with The Chocolate Expo.
How to Attend The Chocolate Expo in Edison
The Chocolate Expo in Edison, NJ is taking place on March 13 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online and will be priced at $20 for adults and $15 for children aged from two to 12 years old. Tickets at the door are a bit more expensive starting at a price of $30 for adults and $20 for children. Face coverings and or proof of vaccination are not required.
Are you going to attend The Chocolate Expo in Edison, NJ? Let us know below!
Main image by Egor Lyfar
About the Author/s
Nicole is a tea lover and aspiring journalist studying Journalism, Creative Writing, and Digital Video Production at Marist College.
