With over 60 area restaurants, specialty food shops, country clubs and local businesses participating,  the 12th annual Taste of the West and Chocolate Lovers' Festival held at the South Florida Fairgrounds Americraft Expo Center  on June 4^th was the most successful to date with over 2,000 people attending.
                Patrons sampled ribs, chicken, pizza, pasta, scrumptious desserts and of course..... chocolate!  For the second year in a row, Greenacres-based Hoffman's Chocolate and Ice Cream won the People's Choice Award by showcasing a fountain with a scrumptious sampling of dipping items.
                Another crowd favorite was the new "Ace of The Taste" chocolate cake decorating contest sponsored by Americraft and Whole Foods Market in Wellington. Teams of pastry chefs from the Florida Culinary Institute created incredible works of art as they competed for trophies and prizes.

A cooking corner just for kids was added this year with Dianne Morin of Marroc Cooking For Kids teaching boys and girls aged 5-12 stir up delicious chocolate treats with ingredients provided by Whole Foods Market.
Success  was sweet for all who attended this year's event which was  presented by Royal Palm Toyota.

Plans for next year include an additional 24,000 square feet of space, making the Taste of the West and Chocolate Lovers' Festival 2010 the largest food and business expo of its kind in Palm Beach County.