On Friday, Feb. 27, 800 community members, public health leaders, corporate supporters, and over a dozen leading chocolatiers from across Chicagoland gathered at Artifact Events in Ravenswood for World of Chocolate, benefiting AIDS Foundation Chicago. 

The event raised over $250,000 to support direct services for people living with HIV.  Participants and a panel of local celebrity judges sampled and voted on their favorite dishes and drinks – all of which contained chocolate, the evening’s star ingredient.   

The audience was treated to entertainment from performance collective Haus of Paint, and music selections from DJ Onwa created a lively atmosphere.  Attendees were able to donate to win prizes from a “punch board,” paint a collaborative mural of Chicago’s skyline, and add balloons to a colorful balloon drop that capped off the evening’s festivities. 

“I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for showing up for us and for your generosity tonight and beyond,” said John Peller, AFC President & CEO, during the awards ceremony.  “This has been a challenging year fighting back and pushing forward under the Trump administration, and it is truly a source of strength, courage, and hope that you all are standing with us.” 

Among attendees were Representative Mike Quigley, former Illinois House Majority Leader Greg Harris, and staffers from the office of Representative Delia Ramirez.  Sponsors included ViiV Healthcare, Gilead, Humana, ITW, Ropes & Gray, Walgreens, Aon, Avita QCare, Callebaut Chocolate, CIBC, Hourglass Wealth Management, Merck, Monarq Advisors, and Third Coast CFAR – the Center for AIDS Research Chicago.  Beverage sponsors included Breakthru, Quatro Armas Mezcal, Uncle Nearest, Patron and Love Tito’s Vodka. 

At the end of the evening, hundreds of attendees gathered in the atrium to hear the names of award winners.  The winners were as follows:  

  • Best in Sweet – Katherine Anne Confections “Chocolate Truffles” 
  • Best in Savory – Swissôtel Chicago “Gorgonzola Gateaux” 
  • Best in Libation – Chef Enrique Cortés with 4 Armas Mezcal “Mezcal Sampling with Dates” 
  • Best Small Business – Al’s Cookie Mixx “Brown Butter Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Cookie”
  • Best Large Business – Hotel Chocolat “Signature Velvetised Drinking Chocolate” 
  • People’s Choice – Chef Blāque & Steel City Bakery “Roots and Threads” 

World of Chocolate has been raising funds for over two decades to support services for people living with HIV in Chicagoland.  Since its inception, the event has raised over $7 million.   View photos of the event from Breeze Art Creatives on the AFC Flickr.