Delectable treats and chocolate-inspired couture were the featured attractions at this year’s Aventura Mall Chocolate Festival, an event that raised more than $15,000 for the Children’s Craniofacial Association.
Thousands of Aventura Mall visitors attended the festival, delighting in an array of mouthwatering morsels from some of the area’s leading restaurants. Highlighting the event was a runway show featuring a dozen unique fashions created by Miami International University of Art & Design students.
The winner: Adan Bravo and Ana Herrera’s full-length dress created entirely with Lindt chocolate ribbons, tissue paper and wrappers.
The Chocolate Festival is coordinated each year by Rick Chiavari, executive chef at Turnberry Ocean Colony.
“It was another fantastic event and I truly appreciate the Aventura Mall’s partnership,” Chiavari said. “We were amazed by the fashions the students created and thrilled with the amount of money raised for such an important cause.”
Aventura Mall’s Chocolate Festival participants included: Chef Allen’s, Grand Lux Café, Schakolad Chocolate Factory, The Grateful Palate, Porto Vita, The Fairmont Turnberry Isle, Turnberry Ocean Colony, Cupcakes for Change, Starbucks, We Take the Cake, Nordstrom, Alisa’s Painted Bistro and Ocean Prime. Aventura Mall’s Chocolate Festival is sponsored by Gym Kids, New York Bakeries, Norwegian Cruise Line and Turnberry Ocean Colony.
Located at 19501 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura Mall is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Sunday, Noon to 8 p.m.
For more information, call 305-935-1110, visit AventuraMall.com or join the Facebook fan page.
