It's a chocolate lover's delight

Kalispell Mayor-elect Tammy Fisher, left, serves chocolate to Ardis Larsen of Lakeside on Wednesday at the 25th Anniversary Chocolate Extravaganza. More than 500 people attended this year’s event.

Barbara Hall of Lakeside serves up a slice of Chocolate Mousse Elegance by Kerrin McCormick. McCormick won Best of Show in the amateur category.

by The Daily Inter Lake
| December 3, 2009 2:00 AM

Barbara Hall of Lakeside serves up a slice of Chocolate Mousse Elegance by Kerrin McCormick. McCormick won Best of Show in the amateur category.

More than 550 chocolate lovers attended the Flathead County Republican Women’s annual Chocolate Extravaganza on Wednesday at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kalispell.

The event, which was begun 25 years ago by Lois Himsl and some of her friends, quickly became a popular event and a great way to begin the Christmas season.

Since chocolate is not political and the event is fun, people from all political viewpoints attend the gala.

This year on the 25th anniversary, amateur and professional bakers alike pulled out all stops in an effort to receive the coveted top awards. The competition featured beautiful artistic creations as well as mouth-watering desserts.

Under the direction of this year’s chairwoman, Ralene Sliter, more than 200 people donated time and talents to participate as bakers, chocolate servers, ticket takers, hostesses, and numerous other tasks necessary to make the event such a success.

Joyce Dye, proprietor of Just Desserts, was ecstatic when she learned that her Chocolate Mint Cake had won the Best of Show award, from over 30 professional entries.

“We were pretty excited,” she said. “We have won awards before, but this is our first time to win Best of Show.

For the second year in a row, Josh Townsley of Lakeside Brewery won the distinction of Most Unique Dessert. His Six Pack Beer Cake was made of gingerbread and was frosted with chocolate. Townsley said he baked the gingerbread in beer bottle molds, frosted the cooled cakes, and used metal bottle caps to complete the entry.

Following is a list of the 2009 Chocolate Extravaganza winners:

Professional Bakers Category

Best of Show: Just Desserts, Chocolate Mint Cake with Ganache Filling

Most Unique Dessert: Tamarack Brewing Company, Chocolate Six Pack Beer Cake

Cakes and Tortes – Appearance

1. Just Desserts: Chocolate Mint Cake with Ganache Filling

2. Hilton Blue Canyon: Flourless Chocolate Torte

3. Simply Sweet: Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake

Cakes and Tortes – Taste

1. 1st Avenue East Cafe: Kahlua Vodka Cake

2. Delectable Catering: Chocolate Layer Mocha Cake

3. Harvest Foods: Chocolate Cranberry Torte

Candy and Confections

Appearance

1. Copperleaf Chocolat: Orange Souffle Truffles

2. Gresko’s Fine Foods: Palate d’or Golden Squares

3. Red Lion: Chocolate Truffles

Candy and Confections – Taste

1. Red Lion: Chocolate Truffles

2. Vista Linda: Amaretto Balls

3. Neal Brown’s Mojo Chocolates Truffle Triangles

Cookies and Bars – Appearance

1. Just Desserts: New York Black and White Cookies

2. Gresko’s Fine Foods: Chocolate Mint Brownies

3. Rosauers: Fudge Butter Brownies

Cookies and Bars – Taste

1. Rosauers: Fudge Butter Brownies

2. Just Desserts: New York Black and White Cookies

3. Wheat Montana: Huckleberry Brownies

Pies and Pastries – Appearance

1. Fazoolie’s: Cognac Infused Chocolate Paté

2. Gresko’s Fine Foods: Chocolate Tart

3. Perkins Family Restaurant: Chocolate French Silk Pie

Pies and Pastries – Taste

1. Fazoolie’s: Cognac Infused Chocolate Paté

2. Bigfork Inn: Black and White Chocolate Mousse

3. Moroldo’s: Italian Chocolate Mousse

Amateur Bakers