Willy Wonka and his chocolate factory? I’m over it

Last weekend, Cart and I were in heaven …

Or at least touched a piece of heaven, also known as the chocolate festival. This event was held in the ippodromo delle capannelle (nothing to do with Hippos) where horse races were held.

We didn’t get to see any horse races, but we did get to see cute fuzzy ponies which was meant for kids to ride on. They are really so very cuddly! I loved stroking them. It was like hugging a toy!

In any case, there were quite a number of things to be seen, non chocolate related ones like stalls selling acessories, clothes, toys … limousines! There was even a stand promoting line dancing.

Candied apples …

And also something that I didn’t care about. These people has been stuffing their flyers (like 10 at a go!) in our mail box. Even if I was the least bit interested with Scientology (which I am not) hard selling like this just turns me off.

Anyway! (changes topic) Fun fact!

While we know that Brazil and Africa are the main producers for cocoa, did you know that Indonesia contributes to 15% and Malaysia 1%? I didn’t know that! I’ve always assumed that the main export was palm for Malaysia.

There was also a working display. I’m not too sure what the function of the machine below.

But this one in particular warms and mixes the chocolate to make it ready to be filled in the moulds.

Such as this chocolate spoon one. I also saw another mould all filled with chocolate and wrapped with a clingwrap, sitting while getting ready for it to set and harden.

And the end product would be cool shapes such as this one.

Ring ring!

Anyway as we were walking around the chocolate stands, there were interesting things to be seen. I literally hyperventillated and squealed and gasped, probably a little too loudly at every stall.

There were so many different types.

Like this chocolate kebab. Have you ever heard of a chocolate kebab before?

It’s made of three different chocolate “meat” out of white, milk and dark chocolate which will be grinded and then served in a sort of crepe “bread” and drizzled with nutella sauce.

And here are pastries all filled up with chocolate. Looks so good!

Crepes with chocolate sauce … Mmm!

There was even a booth where they sell a full meal such as appetizers, first course and second courses which was the main reason why I wanted to go to this fair.

Unfortunately, we had to wait for at least two hours for this, and in the end, we gave up. But doesn’t pasta with cocoa, chilli with rabbit meat in tomato sauce and wood berry sauce sound interesting?

(Actually, looking back in the menu, I don’t think I could eat anything here since almost everything contains meat and I don’t like gorgonzola)

For me though, the highlight of the chocolate fair was in seeing the different types of chocolate shapes. This one below says, “In sweetness I believe.”

Chocolate in bunnies and cow shapes in front which I’m not sure if you could see them properly. Anyone know how I could reduce the glass glare effect when I take a picture by the way?

And some of the displays, I had to take a double look because they looked so realistic!

The coal-iron for example, it looked real! Like a rusty old one that my mum used for ironing her clothes when she was really young.

And the hammers and the spanners and these keys below. It looked so realistic, more like a rusty tool rather than chocolate. Genius work!

There were also other shapes such as these roses, computer mouse, pens and toothbrushes. I got a toothbrush because I thought the idea of brushing my teeth with a chocolate toothbrush is funny.

As Halloween was coming soon, there were quite a number of spooky related shapes such as these skeleton in coffin ones.

And it’s probably a little too early, but there were a number of Christmas related ones too. Not sure if you could see from the plastic glare, but there is a cornucopia, Christmas trees and snowmen.

One of my favourite ones would have to be these shoe shaped ones. Chocolate AND shoes! Which woman wouldn’t love this! I looked longingly at Cart to get them for me and even told him, “If you love me, you’ll get me one”

He just laughed and said no. Boo!

Check out how busy these chocolate sellers are. I bet they are having a booming business from this event! Makes me kind of keen to learn the art of chocolate too. Like in chocolat and meet a piraty Johnny Depp

The only problem is that being surrounded with chocolates, and seeing chocolates every day, one can get sick of them very easily. My sweetness tolerance isn’t very high.

Oh! Before I forget, we also saw these chocolates. I thought that these could be a nice gift to someone. Each of  these chocolates are for sale at 1 euro per letter.

Lets say Cart + Rinaz for example would make 10 euro. But if we both used our full real names, it could easily go to 38 euro … quite pricey … not to mention if someone claims their love for this place in New Zealand

I also spotted out a chocolate fountain where the sellers sold dipped spiedini (basically fruit skewers) Didn’t get a chance to see how much it costs though.

But I’m over it, because for us in Singapore, we even have them at home! I think we should buy a set when we get back to Singapore, so that we could invite friends over for a chocolaty fun treat! Heheheh!

There was also this chocolate banana cake which I was sorely tempted to try (didn’t get in the end, because a slice is just too much for me)

A couple of the high end chocolates.

All of these chocolates shown in the pictures are handmade by the way, in fact the only booth that sold commercial chocolate was from Perugina.

And I saved the best for last. Handmade cremino. Probably my kryptonite. It was so good! Made of hazelnuts, almonds and cocoa butter, it tasted even better compared to the commercial one I tried before.

In my opinion, if you’ve never tried one before, you’ve never really lived. It’s the creamiest, most tasty and delightful thing that can be made out of chocolate. The one on the left is the classic while the one on the right is pistacchio. There are also other variants.

But it’s also thickening to the throat, so eating one is actually enough at one sitting. It’s also quite fattening too, unfortunately … *so sad*

Cart also got this candied tangarine covered with chocolate. It was super sinful and sweet for me, that I couldn’t take more than a bite. See why I can’t work at a chocolate factory?

To end this post, I thought I’d share a picture of this cat we found at the chocolate fair. She’s a timid little cat, but came over quickly when I handed her some treats.

She also has an overactive saliva gland. When she was done eating, my hand was all wet. Bleh! Nevertheless, doesn’t she have an intelligent look? All that’s missing is a pair of glasses.

I would totally kidnap (or catnap?) her home.