Diamonds for Valentine’s Day are impressive for sure, but you can still celebrate with something rich yet affordable — chocolate.
Several local businesses and organizations here on the Shore have created events aimed at making this Valentine’s Day the sweetest one yet!
In Denton, the Chesapeake Culinary Center will be holding their “Chocolat” benefit on Feb. 14 from 7-10 p.m.
Come with your heart full but your stomach empty, as the menu will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres to include local oysters, cocoa seared filet, a macaroni and cheese bar, shrimp cocktail, seared scallops, local cheeses and charcuterie and even chocolate inspired cocktails, beer, and wine to accompany.
Round out your meal with decadent desserts, s’mores bar and more.
Proceeds will help support the CCC in its mission to support culinary education and food-centered economic development in our region.
If a workout gets your heart racing, mix your cardio with some chocolate at the Kent Island Running Group’s Hot Chocolate 5K on Sunday, Feb. 16 at 9 am, starting at Kent Island Elementary School!
This would make a great family Valentine’s celebration with your little sweeties and you can even bring the real love of your life — your dog.
This timed run ends with awards in several catagories and hot cocoa for all in a finisher’s mug. Register at https://kirg.org/.
Local breweries and wineries offer more sweet fun with your sweetie, as many of them will play matchmaker with their own offerings and some sweet treats.
On Saturday, Feb. 15, from 6-8 p.m., Harvest Ridge Winery in Marydel will pair up with chocolate desserts from CoCo Couture.
On Sunday, Feb. 16, from noon until 4 p.m., Crow Vineyard & Winery in Kennedyville will have special flights of their wines and paired up with chocolates crafted by Sweet Cheeks Delightful Treats.
Of course, the best laid plans can always go awry. If your household gets hit with the stomach bug rather than the love bug or if other life nuances make life unsweet on the big day, take a rain check and head to ChocolateFest in St. Michaels on March 7.
The fest’s Chocolate Crawl will have thousands of sweet & savory treats and beverages from local restaurants available to try with the purchase of an event tasting ticket.
If you sample “too much” chocolate (if there is such a thing) take a break with a chocolate themed spa service.
The official event is Saturday only from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., but some of the stops such as Simpatico’s will have chocolate specials for the entire weekend.
Go Super Local and Stay Home
Whether you are celebrating with your sweetie, your family or friends, it’s fun to throw a chocolate fete at home too.
With the day of love landing on a Friday this year, start the school and workday out right with a sugar kick with chocolate waffles, pancakes or muffins.
Later, if all of your friends haven’t decluttered their fondue pots for the new year, divide up your friends into cheese or chocolate and have a variety of bread, fruit, marshmallows, and other dippers for a do-it-yourself fondue night party.
Another option for a crowd is to whip up a big batch of hot cocoa and keep it warm in a crockpot. Use white chocolate with a bit of light pink food coloring or go decadent with dark chocolate.
Toppings of whipped cream, cinnamon hearts and heart sprinkles are must, as are heart shaped marshmallows.
Don’t break your sweetie’s heart or their tooth with conversation hearts — whip up their favorite brownies, cookies, rice krispie treats and make them instantly festive with a heart shaped cutter, some drizzles of chocolate and some heart shaped sprinkles!
No matter who or how you celebrate Valentine’s Day with, make it a sweet day!