Some of the hardest decisions of my Life were made about Chocolate

By Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady

I ate them all. I tasted everyone. I was a judge at the Kona Chocolalte Festival And all the entries in the 2007 Kona Chocolate Festival were memorably delicious.

Even if I forget about the fabulous flavors, my hips are a lasting testament to this festival. (other people choose to get a temporary chocolate tattoo which was much less fattening and lots of fun)

Imagine sitting outside, listening to great music and tasting chocolate. Sounds heavenly—it was. Be there next year. You can judge for yourself. For details on the chocolate festival, please see www.konachocolatefestival.com

And the Winner is...

1st place Savory

O's Bistro-tamales with mole
Chef, Amy Oda, long time owner and chef at O's Bistro. Also received a special accommodation for her raw chocolate macaroon, which the judges said was in a category all it's own.

3rd Place Sweet tie

Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort-Double Chocolate Fudge Brownie with Jack Daniels,
Executive chef William Kaluakini Trask,
Pastry Chef Head Baker Becky Ford

Nottage Cottage-Sally Nottage Nottage Cottage Toffies
Sally Nottage has been a participant and supporter of the Kona Chocolate Festival for many years, sending chocolate in her absence when necessary!

2nd Place Sweet

Mauna Lani Resort-Flourless Chocolate Cake w/caramel
Chef Jeff Walters and Joy Muranaka

1st Place Sweet

Melanie Boudar-Sweet Paradise Chocolatier Ltd.-World Flavors Bon-Bons
Melanie is a former diamond buyer who fell in love with chocolates on her monthy trips to Antwerp, Belgium. She is a graduate of Ecole Chocolat of Vacouver Canada and The Culinary Institute of America (CIA).

1st Place Peoples Choice and 1st Place Amateur

Freedom, Colee and Armando-Raw Cacoa Treats
Colee and Armando run the East Side Yoga Shala in Pahoa,
Freedom lives in Kona and loves to cook for parties, etc.

The Kona Pacific Waldorf School espresses special thanks to Barb Gerrits, the judges, facilitator, and all the chefs who participated. The level of entries was very high.

I think the most important thing to know about the Big Island of Hawaii is about the Kona Chocolate Festival. But since I am a chocoholic, I may not be objective. Here are some other tips about the Big Island.

BEST WAY TO GET TO HAWAII

ATA
1-800-IFLYATA or 1-800-435-9282.
Click, Pick and Save Le$$
www.ata.com

BEST WAY TO GET BETWEEN ISLANDS

go! operates 60 flights a day from its Honolulu hub to Lihue, Kahului, Kona, and Hilo.
www.iflygo.com
toll free 1-888-IFLYGO2.

WHERE TO STAY

Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort
78-6740 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hi 96740
(808)322-3441
www.outrigger.com

Kanloua condo
78-261 Manukai Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Ph: 808-322-9625
www.outrigger.com

HILTON WAIKOLOA VILLAGE
Hilton Waikoloa Village
425 Waikoloa Beach Drive
Waikoloa, HI 96738
Phone: 808.886.2860
Fax: 808.886.2901
www.hilton.com

MADELYN'S FAVORITE RESTAURANTS

Fujimamas-Japanese fusion
WWW.fujimamas.com

Imari Japanese Restaurant
Hilton Waikoloa Village
425 Waikoloa Beach Drive
Waikoloa, HI 96738
Phone: 808.886.2860
Fax: 808.886.2901

Best Buffet and Brunch

Kamaaina Terrace Restaurant
Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort
78-6740 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hi 96740
(808)322-3441
www.outrigger.com

HOW TO FIND THE BEST BARGAINS ON THE BIG ISLAND

Entertainment 07
Save enough to pay for your airfare in this booklet that covers all of Hawaii
www.entertainment.com
1-888-231-7283 (Save)

BEST CHOCOLATE EXPERIENCE

Kona Chocolate Festival
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/November06/3714ChocolateNewYear.htm

BEST COFFEE EXPERIENCE

Kona Coffee Festival. first week in November

BEST SPAS

Kohala Spa
Hilton Waikoloa Village
425 Waikoloa Beach Drive
Waikoloa, HI 96738
Phone: 808.886.2860
Fax: 808.886.2901
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/January07/3693MORNINGMASSAGE.htm

http://www.travellady.com/articles/article-spas-waikoloa.html

Kalona Spa
Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort
78-6740 Alii Drive
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
Phone: 808-322-9373
keauhou@kalonaspa.com
www.kalonaspa.com

BEST LIMO SERVICE

Principle Limousine.
The contact is Rick
808-325-5466
rm@principlelimousine.com
www.principlelimousine.com