Chocolate-tasting big hit in Gallery at the VAULT

There were crowds at the Gallery at the VAULT Saturday, eager to participate in the 3rd annual chocolate tasting.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20120206/NEWS02/702069962

Chocolate-tasting big hit in Gallery at the VAULT

Published February 6, 2012 in the Rutland Herald
Chocolate-tasting big hit in Springfield’s Gallery at the VAULT

By SUSAN SMALLHEER
Staff Writer

SPRINGFIELD — There were pickles with chocolate, strawberry-topped chocolate cupcakes, chocolate truffles, chocolate brownies, white chocolates, raspberry chocolates, maple creams and chocolate and chocolate-covered pretzels.

And there were hundreds of chocolate lovers ready to scoop them up Saturday in downtown Springfield, as people packed the Gallery at the VAULT as part of a fundraiser for children’s arts programs at the gallery.

In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, the chocolate lovers came in all shapes and sizes, as did the chocolates themselves.

Chuck Gregory of Springfield made a beeline to one of the most unusual chocolate offerings: Nick Matush’s chocolate-dipped pickled carrots.

Gregory said he was tasting the chocolate out of loyalty to his friend Steve Matush’s son — The Mad Pickler.

The cayenne-spiced carrots were a surprising counterpoint to the dark chocolate, and the cutting board was soon empty.

“The Mad Pickler” is the Springfield-born-and-bred chef’s new contribution to the local food scene, said volunteer Cheryl Westerman of Springfield. The Visual Art Using Local Talent, or VAULT, organization that runs the Main Street store, is one of a handful of Vermont State Craft Centers in the state.

Dick Farmer and his wife, Lynda, nibbled on the chocolate-dipped pickled carrots, calling them “interesting,” but quickly gravitated toward the Vermont County Store’s chocolate-covered maple creams.

Lynda Farmer said the raspberry chocolates were her favorite.

There were lemon-lavender chocolate hearts from the Daily Chocolate of Vergennes and tiny, shiny-wrapped truffles from Birnn Chocolates of South Burlington. Also on hand were mint-hinted chocolates from Laughing Moon Chocolates of Stowe.

Melody Reed of the Gallery at the VAULT said the fundraiser was started three years ago to raise money for the gallery’s children’s art programs. It has grown every year, and she said the gallery had received great support from the Vermont chocolate community.

“We just keep growing,” she said, adding that close to two dozen chocolate retailers, bakers or stores had donated to the event.

Reed said they couldn’t sell chocolates from the companies at the fundraiser, so board members made chocolates, which were sold in trim white boxes for $7. People, after grazing over the chocolate buffet, also made donations.

“I think it’s a good way to promote the chocolate industry in Vermont as well,” said Reed, who added that until the gallery started organizing the event, she had no idea how many chocolatiers there were.

Westerman said the idea for the fundraiser came from board member Michelle Scharwath, whose husband, Wayne, was a local chef. The Scharwaths had attended chocolate-themed buffets as part of his work, and thought it would be a great way to raise money for the children’s programs.

It wasn’t all chocolate candy, as another popular item were the decorator cupcakes from the Inn at Weathersfield, strawberry-topped and buttercream chocolate cupcakes.

Not everyone was a chocolate devotee.

Jeff Heath of Springfield brought his three little boys, Jamison, 7, Collin, 5, and Gavin, 3, all dressed in identical monkey hats, to get a sophisticates’ taste of chocolate, even though Jamison admitted he was partial to vanilla.

Chocolate lovers take note: Gallery at the VAULT is hosting its third annual Chocolate Tasting on Saturday, February 4, from 12 Noon until 5 PM. Visitors will be able to sample from a large assortment of fine chocolates and chocolate confections. Several of Vermont’s prime chocolatiers will be featured in this chocolate buffet including Lake Champlain Chocolates of Vermont, Vermont Confectionary of Bennington, Vermont Nut Free Chocolates of Grand Isle, Birnn Chocolate Truffles of Vermont, and Daily Chocolate in Vergennes to name a few. Local businesses are also participating including Apron Strings Café, Springfield Food Coop, Baba Louis Bakery, Vermont Country Store, Shaw’s Supermarket, the Inn at Weathersfield, Lindt Chocolates and many more. Boxed assortments of homemade chocolates will be for sale on the day of the event. All proceeds help support children’s art programs at the VAULT.