I was a Chocolate Covered Judge

By Madelyn Miller

Some men might like to judge the Miss America contest. Musicians might like to be on the panel for American Idol. But I can't think of anything more delicious than judging a chocolate contest. Especially if it is in Hawaii.

How did I qualify for this opportunity?
     1.     I eat a lot of chocolate
     2.     I am opinionated
     3.     I eat really lots of chocolate

WHAT DOES A CHOCOLATE JUDGE DO?

In my fantasies, my whole body is dipped in chocolate.

But the reality was even better than that.

At the end of March, I was sitting on the Big Island, nibbling on some of the best Chocolate in the world as part of the Big Island Chocolate Festival. March 22-25 is circled in brown on my calendar.

I took this responsibly very seriously. Just like a runner who trains to build up stamina and endurance, I began eating large quantities of chocolate faithfully every day. (It was easy during Valentine season)

HOW DO YOU PREPARE YOUR BODY TO BE A CHOCOLATE JUDGE?

Anoint it with Chocolate at the Kalona Spa on the Big Island, Hawaii

Chocolate Essence Mani/Pedi Pedicure Treatment $70
Manicure Treatment $50

Sweet Indulgence! Rev-up with an invigorating Chocolate Mint Wash followed by an exfoliating Brown Sugar Scrub. An ultra hydrating Chocolate Butter & Paraffin Mask leaves your skin soft and supple. A relaxing Chocolate Infusion hand or foot massage is followed by a misting of Chocolate Essence Spray. Finish with the polish of your choice, but if you have read this far, I am sure you will choose "Chocolate Moose" by OPI.

Cocoa Essence Massage

50-Minute Massage $105
80-Minute Massage $150
Pure indulgence with zero calories. Classic Swedish Massage techniques with Chocolate scented massage oil -a sweet twist to a time-honored favorite

Kalona Salon & Spa
Phone: 808-331-8403
Fax: 808-331-8423
Email: KalonaSpa@aol.com
www.KalonaSpa.com

CAN YOU EAT AS MUCH CHOCOLATE AS I DO?

If you would like to attend the Big Island Chocolate Festival, click here.

http://www.konachocolatefestival.com/

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

Insider tip: Stay at Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort, which is headquarters for the chocolate festival. You can just roll into your room and curl up into a chocolate ball.
www.outrigger.com

OTHER CHOCOLATE FESTIVALS

Here are some other chocolate festivals that I like:

New York Chocolate Show November

Perugia, Italy Chocolate Festival late October

Bologna, Italy Chocolate Festival in October

Others on my list to try are:

The Austin Chocolate Festival first weekend in March. This one must be hard to get into. I have asked for info twice on this, and got no response

And here is my little black book (or should I say chocolate) calendar of Chocolate Experiences.

MADELYN MILLER'S CHOCOLATE CALENDAR

February

WEEKEND BEFORE VALENTINES DAY

VERDE CANYON RAILROAD, Arizona

Each year, the Verde Canyon Railroad hosts a Chocolate Lovers' Festival on the Saturday and Sunday, before Valentine's Day.
Cost is $89.95 per person
www.verdecanyonrr.com
800-293-7245

ARIZONA CHOCOLATE IN FEBRUARY
LAKE HAVASU CITY: Annual Chocolate Sunday Dessert Fantasy - Aquatic Center, includes a wide assortment of tempting desserts, live entertainment, benefits Havasu Concert Association, $10, 2-4 pm, 928-855-7486 or www.golakehavasu.com First weekend in Feb

GLENDALE: Annual Chocolate Affaire - Murphy Park, a festival of chocolate & romance, gourmet cuisine & beverage, horsedrawn carriage rides, national entertainment and tours of Cerreta's Candy Company, free, Fri 5-9 pm, Sat 10 am - 9 pm, Sun 10 am - 5 pm, 623-930-2299 or www.visitglendale.com First weekend in February

SCOTTSDALE: Annual Scottsdale Fine Art & Chocolate Festival - Scottsdale Pavilions, juried fine arts, entertainment, chocolate sampling, $2, 10 am - 5 pm, 480-837-5637 or www.thunderbirdartists.com Weekend before Valentine's Day

SUPERIOR: The Language of Flowers, February Flower Show & Chocolate Tasting - Boyce Thompson Arboretum, living display of plants and their blossoms designed to interpret the language of flowers, 8 am - 4 pm, $3- 7.50, 520-689-2811 or http://arboretum.ag.arizona.edu Weekend before Valentines Day through valentines Day

BISBEE: Chocolate Tasting - sponsored by the Copper Queen Library, the oldest public library in Arizona, revolves around the most decadent chocolate desserts and is for serious chocolate lovers, $10, 6-9 pm, 520-432-4232 or www.discoverbisbee.com Sunday before Valentines Day

CLARKDALE: Chocolate Lovers Festival - Verde Canyon Railroad, enjoy delicious chocolates and flavored coffees, 928-639-0010 or 800-293-7245 or www.verdecanyonrr.com Sunday before through Valentines day

Annual Chocolate Festival in Galesburg, Illinois
February weekend before Valentine's day.

Chocolate Festival - Friday 5:00 - 8:00 PM (Adults Only) - $15/person $25/couple
Saturday & Sunday 11:00 am - 4:00 PM - $7.50 all-you-can-eat
A Chocolate lovers dream, bring your Valentine, your family, your friends or just yourself to enjoy the Annual Chocolate Festival in Galesburg, Illinois. Friday night, dress up and bring your sweetheart to our Chocktail Party for some special chocolate cocktails. Local bartenders have been competing to create the best chocolate drinks, live music and contests too. Saturday & Sunday an all-you-can-eat buffet of everything chocolate. Homemade and commercially made chocolates, tortes, trifles, cheesecakes, brownies, fudge, chocolate punch, white chocolate popcorn, chocolate chili, mousse, chocolate covered potato chips, cakes, pies, creams and much more to satisfy the chocoholic in you. .
309-343-2485 - visitors@visitgalesburg.com

February 1 - February 28

Chocolate Covered February In Hershey, Pennsylvania allows you to indulge your passion for chocolate all month long! Visitors of all ages will find a chocolate-themed activity designed to delight them, from wine and chocolate pairing to spa treatments and fun with chocolate play-dough. Come for the day, or take advantage of an overnight stay at THE HOTEL HERSHEY or HERSHEY Lodge.

For a complete listing of Chocolate-Covered February events, visit www.HersheyPA.com , www.ChocolateCoveredFebruary.com or call 1-800-HERSHEY.

Last weekend in February, 2008
Kona Chocolate Festival
http://chocolateatlas.com/L2Other/Kona/Kona_Chocolate_Festival.htm

March
ANNUAL INN TO INN CHOCOLATE MARCH WEEKEND,
Historic Inns of Rockland roll out the cocoa carpet mid-March for the Annual Inn to Inn Chocolate March weekend. This event features two days of sweet samplings throughout the Historic Inns of Rockland and the community, including a four foot fountain oozing twenty pounds of chocolate, and an Inn to Inn March offering a host of demonstrations and tastings. Five dollars from every $15-20 ticket for the Inn to Inn March will be donated to the Make A Wish Foundation. On Saturday, more than twenty businesses throughout Rockland feature demonstrations, tastings, and discounts on chocolate items. There are chocolate truffle demonstrations, hot chocolate massages using chocolate oil and hot rocks, complimentary hot chocolate, special chocolate desserts at area restaurants, chocolate soup, and even a special showing of "Chocolait" at the newly opened Strand Theater.

Sunday features the Inn to Inn Chocolate March. Berry Manor Inn, Captain Lindsey House, and LimeRock Inn, all easily accessible to one another by foot, will open their doors from 1:00 to 4:00pm, offering tours and chocolate demonstrations.
www.HistoricInnsofRockland.com
1-877-ROC-INNS (877-762-4667).

Last weekend in March to first weekend in April
Turin Chocolate Festival
Turin, Italy

Chocolate Lovers Package in Illinois from $129!
Escape to a world of sweet indulgence at the Hilton Springfield with the "Chocolate Lover's" package from $129 per night. To please and delight your senses, it includes overnight accommodations, breakfast* for two, chocolate fondue desserts for two in Capisce Restaurant on our 30th floor, two chocolate martinis** in Jazz Central Station, two chanticos or mochas in Starbucks®, and a Chocolate Trail walking map to lead you on a delicious chocolate adventure through downtown Springfield!

EASTER CHOCOLATE

Chocolate abounds. You will find those little brown bunnies everywhere. Next to Valentine's Day, this is the most chocolate holiday.

SUMMER
In most climates, chocolate activities are less frequent. Chocolate melts. But that does not mean your mother would not love a box of chocolates

October
Chocolate Show in Perugia, Italy
Chocolate Show in Bologna, Italy

November
New York The Chocolate Show is usually the second week in November.
www.chocolateshow.com
800-CHOC-NYC

ANYTIME YOU GET A CHOCOLATE CRAVING

Calling all Chocoholics! The newly renovated Exchange Hotel, located in lower Manhattan, serves up a delicious getaway with the Chocolate Covered Weekend. Whether traveling for a special occasion like an anniversary or Valentine's Day or just sweet on suites, this boutique hotel highlights Manhattan's delicious chocolate center with a customized and affordable way to enjoy an epicurean weekend away.

http://www.travellady.com/Issues/April07/4091HotelWrapsGuests.htm

For details of the chocolate weekend
www.exchangehotel.com

BEST OF THE BIG ISLAND

BEST WAY TO GET TO HAWAII
ATA
1-800-IFLYATA or 1-800-435-9282.
Click, Pick and Save at 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

GREAT GUIDEBOOKS

HIDDEN BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII
Big Island of Hawaii
Ulysses Press
www.ulyssespress.com

LAND OF FIRE AND ICE
THE BIG ISLAND
By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi
Photos by Philip Rosenberg
Island Heritage Publishing

Hawaii
True Stories of the Island Spirit
Traveler's Tales Guides
Edited by Rick and Marcie Carroll
(read this one before you go)Lonely

Maverick Guide to Hawaii
By Robert W. Bone

Hidden Hawaii
Ray Riegert
UlyssesPress
www.ulyssespress.com

Lonely Planet Hawaii
By Ned Friary & Glenda Bendure
5th edition
624 pages + 16 full-color pages
69 maps (5 in full-color)
ISBN 0 86450 092 1
$19.95,

INSIGHT GUIDE TO HAWAII

Gayot Guide to Hawaii

HAWAII HANDBOOK
By J.D. Bisignani
Moon Publications

Hawaii Travel Smart
Greg Ambrose
John Muir Publications

GET THE TASTE OF HAWAII

TASTING PARADISE
By Karen Bacon
Restaurants and Recipes of the Hawaiian Islands
Coastal Impressions Press

The Hali'imalile General Store Cookbook
Home Cooking from Maui
Beverly Gannon with Bonnie Friedman
Ten Speed Press
www.tenspeed.com

Author Bev Gannon was one of the original gang of chefs who started offering Hawaiian Regional Cuisine

Madelyn Miller is a food and chocolate writer. Read her stories on www.travellady.com, www.chocolateatlas.com , www.cocktailatlas.com, www.teaAtlas.com and www.carladynews.com She was eating Godiva dark chocolates while she wrote this.