• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Dessert First

a san francisco food and travel blog | all things sweet

  • About Me
    • about pastrygirl
    • faq
    • press
    • Contact Me
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
  • My Books
  • Recipes
    • Breads
    • Cakes
    • Candy
    • Chocolate
    • Cookies
    • Custards
    • Fruit
    • Ice Cream
    • Pastry
    • Tarts
  • Sweet San Francisco
    • Sweet Spots
    • SF Events
  • Travel
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • California
    • Hawaii
  • reviews and recs
    • Cookbooks
    • Chocolate
    • Tools
  • Conversions

{San Francisco}: Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival 2017

Sep 18 by Anita 1 Comment

pepito-paletas

It’s hard to believe the Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival is in its 22th year! This yearly event turns the famous Ghirardelli Square into a celebration of all things chocolatey. Besides their famous chocolate squares and their ice cream sundaes, the Ghirardelli Chocolate company also hosts chef demonstrations, an ice cream eating contest, and a VIP lounge with sips from local breweries and wineries.  I usually enjoy making new chocolate discoveries at this festival, and as a bonus all proceeds go to Project Open Hand, a charity that helps bring meals to seniors in need. If you’re in town during the festival, it’s definitely worth a stop by for some sweet samples and a chance to enjoy some gorgeous views from the upper terraces of Ghirardelli Square. Following are some of my favorites from this year’s Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival; the shot above is of Pepito Paletas‘ chocolate popsicles.

wooden-table-baking-alfajores

Wooden Table Baking Co, which specializes in Argentinian sweets, had an impressive lineup of alfajores, from classic to snickerdoodle.

rainy-day-chocolates

The Bay Area continues to be an artisan chocolate mecca. I discovered Rainy Day Chocolate from Windsor, and loved their 69%.

lonohana-chocolate

Such a lovely surprise to see Lonohana Estate Chocolate, started by my former boss Seneca, who started his own cacao planatation on Oahu, Hawaii, and now makes chocolates from his cacao. The ultimate in bean to bar.

brownie-brittle

Playing on my love of all things crispy: Brownie Brittle, which is exactly as it sounds and as addictive as you think.

tcho-chocolate

Another of my local chocolate faves: TCHO consistently pushes the boundaries with their impeccably executed flavor combinations. My current loves are their Triple Berry and the Hazelnut Chunk.

alter-eco-chocolate

Alter Eco Chocolate also never fails me; their bars are reliably smooth and luscious on the palate, whichever flavor I choose. Their Dark Salt & Malt and Dark Salted Brown Butter have just the right mix of sweet and salty.

ghirardelli-chocolate-sundae

I always love the end of summer in San Francisco; it’s when some of the best festivals happen in the city. Combined with the continued unusually-warm weather, going to the Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival almost felt like a day at the boardwalk, with happy tourists and locals alike splashing in the bay waters right off Ghirardelli Square. Thanks for a perfect day in the city, Ghirardelli!

 

Filed Under: San Francisco, SF Events Tagged With: chocolate, events, Ghirardelli, san francisco

Related Posts

  • Dandelion Afternoon Tea{SF}Bloom Chocolate Salon at Dandelion Chocolate
  • S'mores Whiskey TartS’mores Chocolate Whiskey Pudding Tart
  • Miller's Rest Choco Bread Pudding SideAvital Date Night San Francisco
  • Chocolate Pudding FlatlayPerfect Dark Chocolate Pudding
  • Cassava Centerpiece{SF} Cassava San Francisco: The Perfect Neighborhood Restaurant
« Mango and Lime Frangipane Galette
{San Francisco}: Farallon Celebrates 20 Years »

Comments

  1. 1

    Stephanie says

    Sep 24 at 11:16 am

    I’m so jealous you got to go. It sounds like so much fun. I’ve been to San Francisco several times, but never at the right time for that.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





About Me
Mentions in the Press
Want to go to pastry school?
Email me

subscribe to receive posts in your inbox

Archives

best of dessert first


The Making of Macarons (Sucre Cuit Style)

Hong Kong Eggettes (Daan Jai)


Tis the Season (Chocolate Mint Macarons)

A Better Brioche


Consider the Humble Chocolate Chip Cookie

A Feast of Figs


Pure Dessert, Pure Inspiration (Chocolate Citrus Tart)

My Own Remembrance of Things Past: Daan Tats


The Slow Drip of Coffee on a Languorous Summer's Day

Still Life of Strawberry Tart

disclosure

This site uses affiliate links. Purchasing through the links will give this site commissions. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

about pastrygirl

Anita Chu, also known as pastrygirl, is a baker, writer, and photographer with a passion for pastry. She trained at Tante Marie's Cooking School and is the author of Field Guide to Cookies, Field Guide to Candy, and Lollipop Love. Anita lives in San Francisco with her husband, daughter, and dog Max. More about pastrygirl

my cookbooks



contact me

Please e-mail anita {at} dessertfirstgirl {dot} com with all collaboration inquiries, pastry questions, or just to say hi! I look forward to hearing from you!
  • home
  • my books
  • recipes
  • sweet san francisco
  • reviews
  • conversions
  • shop
  • archives
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

© 2006–2025 Anita Chu. All Rights Reserved. Design by Deluxe Designs