On the Town: Chocolate Soiree was a sweet event

Marcus Frazier, from left, Joshua Peterson, and Joe Peterson.

Delectable chocolate confections were the focus at the Chocolate Soiree presented by the Junior League of Toledo Jan. 21 at the Grand Plaza Hotel. Some 250 guests sampled chocolate creations from local restaurants, shops, and bakeries that donated their time and fare.

The People's Choice award went to Super Suppers for its Chocolate Lovers Paradise concoction. The Judges' Choice was Del Sol Restaurant and Aqua Bar for its chocolate-dipped bacon. Best Presentation awards went to Cake Bites, Two Seasoned Chicks, and Rosie's Italian Grille.

Other chocolatiers included BabyCakes2GO, the Chocolate Shoppe, Clara J's Tea Room, Degage Jazz Cafe and Fine Dining Restaurant, Healthy Chocolate, Java Sensations, Maumee Valley Chocolate & Candy, Plate21, and the Toledo Club.

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Judges included Lori Jacobs and Dana Iliev from Cake In a Cup, Sashem Brey of WTVG-TV, Channel 13, and Girl in the Glass City blogger Christine Seneck.

In attendance were Junior League president Aileen Meyer, president-elect Anne Miller Ruggiero, Areka and Tim Foster, Denise and Terry Benton, Marcia Molnar, Laura Randall, Margot and Scott Estes, Becca and Pete Gorman, Christine and Andrew Mayle, Elizabeth and CJ Murawski, Kristen and Steve Rodzos, and Leandra and Matt Hutchinson.

Kudos go to event chairman Tracy Schmitz and committee members, including Ellen Rodriguez, Lindsay McKibben, Linsey Ansberg, Jessica Rumpf, Sherri Horner, Wendy Ziems-Mueller, Colleen Demczuk, Pam Skinner, Shawna Heisler, Darlene Fisher, and many others.

Thanks go to the nearly 20 sponsors and the nearly 20 in-kind donors. Approximately $25,000 was netted.

A special donors reception recently was held in the Ottawa Hills home of Lillian and Michael Walsh. Mrs. Walsh, a past president, is a sustaining member of the organization.

The Junior League of Toledo chapter, started in 1933, is part of the national organization started in 1901 in New York. Its mission is to promote volunteerism by training members to become effective volunteers and leaders.

Its current projects are Bittersweet Farms for adults with autism, and Kids in the Kitchen, sponsored by The Andersons to help overcome childhood obesity.