Attend the “Celebrating Chocolate Festival” at the Morton Arboretum  www.mortonarb.org

Chocolates (Photo credit: J. Paxon Reyes)

Tastings & Classes:

Chocolate Expo & Market February 2 & 3 10:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. Visitor Center

Just in time for Valentine’s Day and Super Bowl Weekend! See, sample, and discover the perfect gift for your Valentine. Select a delicious gift for your Super Bowl hostess or stock up on sweet treats for your Super Bowl weekend at home. The Expo & Market will present chocolatiers who offer a unique array of chocolate products: truffles, chocolate sauces, preserves, and much, much more! See participating chocolatiers.

Stay & Learn. FREE presentations will be ongoing during both days of the Expo & Market in the Sycamore Room at the Visitor Center.  Tickets are limited. First-come, first-served.

10:00  a.m.:  The History, Mystery, and Magic of Chocolate.  Kathy Bouchard of Chocolat du Bouchard will present the healthy benefits of chocolate.  Enjoy a sample of pure, healthy chocolate.

11:00 a.m.: Chocolate Bean to Bar: Chef Kevin Roblee of Kokku Gourmet will make chocolate from the bean for everyone to taste.

12:30 p.m.: Do You Know Your Candy Bar? Family fun! Take a blind taste test and identify the chocolate bar.

3:00 p.m.: Master the Chocolate Martini

Truffle Making Party February 1 5:00, 6:30, and 8:00 p.m Thornhill Education Center Member adult $35 (nonmember adult $40) Learn to make  four varieties of delicious truffles and enjoy wine and light refreshment. Take a gift box of up to six truffles home, a $15 value. Order tickets online CALL 630-725-2066, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m VISIT The Visitor Center, daily during regular hours

Cooking Class with the Arboretum’s Executive Chef February 9 5:00 p.m.                SOLD OUT! Ginkgo Restaurant Member adult $55 (nonmember adult $60) Join the Arboretum’s executive chef as he demonstrates how to make the perfect Valentine’s Day dinner. Guests will participate in this interactive class. Class fee includes dinner and wine. Tickets are limited. Order tickets online CALL 630-725-2066, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m VISIT The Visitor Center, daily during regular hours

Mousse au Chocolat: The Ultimate Decadence February 10 Noon, 1:45, & 3:30 p.m. Thornhill Education Center Member adult $32 (nonmember adult $37) Everyone loves the creamy silkiness of chocolate mousse and here is your opportunity to create this timeless dessert in a hands-on class with Chef Laura Valcour of Chefs for a Day. After you make the mousse, fill a heart-shaped chocolate cup using a pastry bag, finish with chocolate decorations. Treat yourself or your Valentine to this decadent dessert. Registrants must be at least 18 years old. Order tickets online CALL 630-725-2066, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m VISIT The Visitor Center, daily during regular hours

Kid’s Cooking Class: Decorate & Build Your Own Candy House February 10 Noon 12:45 & 1:30 p.m. Visitor Center Member child $15 (nonmember child $20) Construct a small candy house using molded chocolate panels. Use Valentine’s Day and other candy treats to decorate your creation. Ages 6 and up. Order tickets online CALL 630-725-2066, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m VISIT The Visitor Center, daily during regular hours

Chicago’s Sweet Candy History, Revisited February 16 9:30– 11:00 a.m. Ginkgo Room Member adult $25 (nonmember Adult $30) Enjoy a delicious chocolate-themed brunch as historian and author, Leslie Goddard, shares the sweet history behind tasty treats, like, Frango Mints and Dove Chocolates. Learn why Chicago has called itself the Candy Capital of America since the turn of the century. Leslie Goddard will also be available to sign copies of her new book, Chicago’s Sweet Candy History, after the brunch. Order tickets online CALL 630-725-2066, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m VISIT The Visitor Center, daily during regular hours

Wine & Chocolate Pairing Class  February 17 5:00 p.m. Ginkgo Room Member adult $22 (nonmember adult $27) Explore the mystical union of wine and chocolate. The experts at Kokku Gourmet will select the finest dark chocolates and pair them with the perfect wine.  In this class, savor the nuances of four wine and chocolate pairings and learn why they complement each other.  Following the pairings, enjoy a glass of wine while you sample from a table of gourmet items featuring chocolate, sweets, and season fruit. Order tickets online CALL 630-725-2066, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m VISIT The Visitor Center, daily during regular hours

Kid’s Cooking Class: Learn to Make a French Log Cake February 18 (President’s Day-most schools not in session) 11:00 a.m., 12:45 & 2:30 p.m Visitor Center Member child $22 (nonmember child $30) Children will create a decadent chocolate log cake, made of yellow sponge cake filled with chocolate cream and topped with chocolate butter cream. Meringue mushrooms and edible decorations will complete the delicious creation. Participants will earn a Chocoholic Certificate and will take home a chef hat and recipe. Order tickets online CALL 630-725-2066, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m VISIT The Visitor Center, daily during regular hours

Beer & Chocolate Pairings February 24 5:00 p.m. Ginkgo Restaurant Member adult $35 (nonmember adult $40) Looking for a unique late afternoon date or an outing with friends? Enjoy sweet and savory fare paired with specialty brews from Two Brothers Brewing Company.  Five “small plates” featuring Graham’s Chocolate will be matched with the perfect beer.  The final pairing is a beer ice cream float!

Order tickets online or CALL 630-725-2066, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m VISIT The Visitor Center, daily during regular hours

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.com