The late Charles M. Schulz, creator of the Peanuts’ comic strip, is credited with saying “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”
Schulz no doubt would have enjoyed the fourth annual “In Love and Chocolate” fundraiser Sunday at Courtyard By Marriott in Shelton. Tables covered with chocolate-flavored culinary creations filled the room.
Proceeds from the event benefit Spooner House in Shelton, a shelter and food bank run by Area Congregations Together, and the Mary A. Schmecker Turtle Shell Fund.
The fund was founded in 2010 in memory of Mary Schmecker, who taught pottery for 35 years at the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley in Shelton.
Monies raised go toward purchase of art supplies for local schools in the Valley, and to fund arts and robotics programs at the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley. Click here for information on the Turtle Fund.
Michele Bialek, owner of Liquid Lunch in Shelton and Milford, is Schmecker’s granddaughter and president of the Turtle Shell Fund Board of Directors.
She said Sunday’s turnout exceeded her hopes and expectations.
“This is a room full of joy,” she said. “You can feel it. It’s a great time for two great causes.”
There was no word Sunday on how much money was raised.
In addition to candy, cakes, and brownies, two of the more unusual chocolate creations were from Bricks & Barley Tavern and Liquid Lunch.
Chef Bob DelBuono, from Bricks & Barley on Howe Avenue, served samples of Chocolate Bison Empanada with a Chipotle Chocolate Sauce, his original recipe.
And the Liquid Lunch owners were handing out their Mole Chili, a spicy concoction made with chili peppers and chocolate.
Shelton resident Cindy Rinaldi raved about what she sampled from Wildflower Cupcakes & Sweets, a shop that will hold its grand opening Saturday in downtown Seymour.
“The cupcakes were absolutely scrumptious,” she said.
Music was provided by singer/ songwriter Dave Hogan of Stratford on guitar. New Haven resident Michael Sayers served as master of ceremonies.
Vendors included Bricks & Barley Tavern, Common Bond Market, Courtyard By Marriott, Focaccia’s Cafe and Eatery, Liquid Lunch, Nikki’s Candy Boutique, The Pink Cupcake Shack, Rotk’n Chocolates, Royal Bakery, Seasonal Sweets & Catery, Starbucks, Stone Gardens Farm, Taste & See Gourmet Cupcakes, Tea With Tracy, The Crushers U-12 soccer team, Tidmarsh Home Bake Shop, Wildflour Confections.
A huge thank you to everyone who participated in this fabulous event–the vendors with their delicious and incredibly varied culinary treats, Dave Hogan for his talented musical performance, Michael Sayers for serving so eloquently as the MC, the generous sponsors, the door prize donors, and of course, the many, many community members who attended the event in support of Spooner House and the Mary A. Schmecker Turtle Shell Fund. It was a wonderful event and one you will not want to miss next year!
Thank you also to STAR 99.9, our media partner for In Love & Chocolate!