It’s almost time for the return of the Celebration of Chocolate, an annual festival focused on one of the world’s most delectable sweet treats.
The 10th annual event will take place Feb. 23-24 in the Village of Kohler, offering chocolate lovers an immersive weekend filled with chef demonstrations, wine pairings, chocolate tastings, an intimate dinner, and the highly anticipated Sugar High at Frozen Fairways with DJ Eric Rhodes.
The festivities begin Friday evening with the Celebration of Chocolate Wine Dinner featuring four delectable sweet and savory courses by Kohler Chefs Robert Brown, Nicolas Blouin, Thomas Hauck, and Zeke Fitzgerald.
From there, guests can dig into a variety of cooking demonstrations, tastings and seminars featuring Chocolate Babka, Cookies, Mexican Bites and Tequila, Chocolates and Wine Pairing. Guests can also sign up for an intimate behind-the-scenes experience with Head Chocolatier Crystal Thomas and Assistant Chocolatier Kirsten Nennig.
Weekend activities can also include ice skating, carriage rides, curling, fat tire biking, cross-country skiing, sledding and snow-shoeing thanks to new Frozen Fairways experience, which showcases the wintery landscape at the Blackwolf Run golf course in an enchanting new way.
The Sugar High at Frozen Fairways will cap off the Celebration of Chocolate experience with an evening of indoor/outdoor activities and sweet and savory food stations showcasing cuisine from Blackwolf Run, Kohler Village’s pastry kitchen and sweets from Kohler Chocolates. But that’s not all. Guests are also invited to take a few laps around the ice rink or try their hands at curling while enjoying open bar access and a live performance from renowned DJ Eric Rhodes.
Throughout the weekend, guests can also indulge in the Berry Kiss Cocktail, a limited edition quaff that will be featured at The American Club restaurants, including The Immigrant Restaurant and The Wisconsin Room (ask nicely and staff will also be happy to share the recipe). All Kohler Original Recipe Chocolates, including new flavors like Pinot Noir dark chocolate ganache, Rosé pâte de fruit and Champagne pâte de fruit, will also be available for 30% off (now through Feb. 10).
Special packages include the Sweet Escape featuring a two-night stay, exclusive access to the Celebration of Chocolate Wine Dinner and the Kohler Original Recipe Chocolates & Wine Pairing Seminar, plus tickets to Sugar High at Frozen Fairways. Packages start at $630 per person, based on double occupancy. Tickets for additional events are also available starting at $60 per person.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
