FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Adrienne Drew, Media Relations Specialist
(p) 813-987-6080 (c) 813-842-7788
adrew@mosi.org
Aileen Mand, Producer:
(p) 407-497-1588
aileen@festivalofchocolate.com
Join MOSI January 15-17 for The Festival of Chocolate
Florida’s Largest All-Chocolate Tasting, Shopping, Educational
and Interactive Experience
Tampa, FL (November 4, 2010) – Attention Chocoholics! For anyone that has wanted to be a kid in a
chocolate store…you now have your chance!
MOSI will host Tampa’s first-ever Festival of Chocolate, Saturday, January 15 until Monday, January 17.
The Festival of Chocolate is Florida’s largest all-chocolate themed event! Hours of the festival are
Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Monday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
The event features the area's best chocolate and confection companies selling tastes and treats of
everything chocolate from truffles, cakes and cupcakes to cookies, brownies and ice creams. There will
even be chocolate body products! For the littlest chocoholics, Kids-4-Chocolate is the perfect place for
kids to create edible masterpieces and learn about the journey that the cacao bean takes from the bean into
their favorite chocolate bar.
Award-winning pastry chefs and chocolatiers will host interactive demonstrations, sharing techniques and
tricks of the trade, and a live chocolate showpiece competition will give breathtaking artistic sculptures a
tasty twist. Guests will have their chance to vote on the best cake creation in Tampa and learn some
chocolate-ology while taking a one-of-a-kind tour through a unique chocolate-themed museum. Guests
will also be amazed by the science of chocolate and have a chance to try their luck and chocolate
knowledge in Brownie Bingo...just don't eat the playing pieces!
Tanya Vomacka, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Relations for MOSI, said “MOSI is so
excited to be able to bring this type of experience to the Tampa Bay area. We are the first in Tampa to
host The Festival of Chocolate, and we anticipate the event to be a big hit for chocoholics and nonchocoholics alike, offering family fun for everyone!”
Chocolate University taught by Chocolate Masters, cookie stacking contests, historical presentations, a
book signing and a complimentary chocolate raffle make The Festival of Chocolate weekend at MOSI the
Sweetest weekend in West Florida from January 15 - 17.
Entrance into The Festival of Chocolate is complementary with your MOSI admission. Each adult
advance purchase ticket will receive three dollars in chocolate coins to spend in The Festival of
Chocolate. MOSI Members receive discounted entry pricing at only $10 a ticket and member children can
attend for FREE. Advanced ticket purchases are available at www.festivalofchocolate.com. To win a spot
as a chocolate judge or for more information, visit www.festivalofchocolate.com or call 813-438-4066
About MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry)
MOSI is a not-for-profit, community-based institution and educational resource dedicated to advancing
public interest, knowledge, and understanding of science, industry, and technology. With a total size of
over 400,000 square feet, MOSI is the largest science center in the southeastern United States, and home
to the only IMAX® Dome Theatre in the state of Florida. Kids In Charge! The Children’s Science Center
at MOSI is the largest children’s science center in the nation. Disasterville, featuring WeatherQuest,
combines education and 10,000 square feet of interactive exhibits on the science behind natural disasters.
MOSI’s newest permanent exhibition, The Amazing You, explores the fascinating world of birth through
end of life. MOSI is the proud winner of the 2009 National Medal for Museums by the Institute of
Museum and Library Services, the nation’s highest honor for museums. For more information on MOSI,
visit www.mosi.org.
About The Festival of Chocolate
Former Walt Disney World Producer and owner of Indigo Creative Productions, Aileen Mand, partnered
with third-generation Chocolatier Edgar Schaked to create The Festival of Chocolate-the ultimate
interactive, educational chocolate experience. Marrying her specialty in unique, large-scale public events
including Coca Cola’s Olympic City and Major League Baseball’s All-Star Fanfest with his expertise and
outreach in the Chocolate Industry, they are now expanding the successful Festival of Chocolate from
Central Florida into other cities.
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