Samaritan Caregivers fills One Church with annual event
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People were lined up at the doors of One Church on May 1, long before they were unleashed upon the Samaritan Caregivers’ annual Chocolate Celebration. Once inside, visitors had the opportunity to sample or purchase hundreds of chocolate treats while helping the organization provide food to homebound residents in the community.
From cookies and cupcakes to brownies and truffles, there were plenty of traditional chocolate-based treats available. And then there were the more unusual offerings, such as chocolate turkey chili, bacon-wrapped and chocolate drizzled dates, and chocolate brisket.
Patrons quickly found their favorites and smiled happily as they travelled from table to table, hoping to find the next chocolate concoction to enjoy. Each booth was sponsored by a local business that either created their chocolate treats or paired with a local confectionery to provide a product.
While the crowds grazed and gazed, and group of brave judges risked diabetes as they sampled and rated more than 40 entries in the Celebration’s annual competition for best chocolate across several categories. The panel included retired WISH-TV weatherman Randy Ollis, WWKI morning host Tammy Lively, and Mayor Tyler Moore, along with local media representatives and even a minister.
Once the judging was completed and the tickets were collected, Samaritan Caregivers announced the winners of the competition. Following are the blue-ribbon recipients, as well as the People’s Choice and Newcomer award winners:
People’s Choice Award: Community First Bank of Indiana, with cupcakes by J. Edwards
Best Baked Good/Other: Primrose Retirement Community, with Chocolate Cheesecake
Best Cake/Cupcake: Kokomo Healthcare Center, with Lava Cake
Best Gluten Free/Sugar Free: Big Deal Bakery, with “Treasured Core”
Best Savory: Rozzi’s Catering, a Cocoa Rubbed Brisket Wrap
Newcomer Award: Baked Knightly, with a D Three Chocolate “Cup” Cake (Mexican Spiked Hot Chocolate-Filled Churro)
Best Beverage: Security Federal Savings Bank, with a Chocolate Raspberry Fizz Mocktail by Booze Buggy
Best Cookie/Bar/Brownie: Ascension at Home/Compassus. With a Chocolate Fruit Pizza by Prep & Go
Best Pudding/Ice Cream: Mama Karen’s, with a Brownie Cheesecake Cup
Best Candy: Devoted Health/Tracy Davis Insurance Solutions, with Elegant Melt-in-Your-Mouth Truffles by Angry Donkey
Best Table Display: Baked Knightly, with “Alice in Wonderland”
See additional photos from the Samaritan Caregivers’ Chocolate Celebrationon the Lantern’s Facebook page.