Hilltown Families 
New England History and Chocolate are Celebrated at the Historic Deerfield Museum in February
Bring the Family to the Historic Deerfield Museum
7th Annual American Heritage Chocolate Celebration
February 13th, 2010
Looking to satisfy both the history buff and the sweet tooth in you? There is no better way than to enjoy a fun-filled day with sweet chocolate aromas, captivating lectures, and most important-chocolate treats! The seventh annual American Heritage Chocolate Celebration at Historic Deerfield on February 13, 2010, is an exploration of everything chocolate including a sumptuous array of gourmet chocolate desserts, foods, and beverages.
The 2010 Chocolate Celebration will include a range of informed presentations on the history of the favorite food including a special presentation by Curator of Historic Interiors, Amanda Lange. Lange’s talk titled Sweet Concoctions: A History of Chocolate in Early America will feature her research used in the recent chocolate anthology Chocolate: History, Culture, and Heritage released earlier this year by by Wiley Press.
In addition, Bob Heiss, food professional and owner/proprietor of Cooks Shop Here in Northampton, MA, will give a special talk and tasting titled Exploring and Tasting a Favorite Treat. And Eric Whitacre, Executive Director of the Confectioners Mill Preservation Society, will speak about his efforts to create a museum devoted to the history of chocolate mills in early America.
To really have the full chocolate sensory experience, visitors can visit with Susan McLellan Plaisted, Proprietress of Heart to Hearth Cookery, as she roasts cacao beans over the open hearth and grinds them on a stone metate.
Historic Deerfield guides will also present highlights tours of the Museum’s Attic focusing on collections associated with the preparation and serving of stimulating beverages, such as tea, coffee and chocolate. See master silversmith Steve Smithers as he works to recreate a silver chocolate pot from the Historic Deerfield collection. Taste American Heritage Chocolate, and create your own Valentine using decorative papers.
Special event museum admission price. Kids under 6 are free. For more information about the 2010 American Heritage Chocolate Celebration, please visit www.historic-deerfield.org or call 413-775-7214.
An yet another chocolate event:
Chocolate Tasting at The Old Creamery
Sunday, February 7th, 2010
6:30pm
The cafe’ in The Old Creamery
We’ll learn about the history of cacao and chocolate production, about contemporary chocolate production and politics, about the health benefits associated with dark chocolate, and we will share a blind taste test of many different chocolates, just in time for Valentine’s Day!
More info call Alice 634-5560
Another Chocolate Event:
Saturday, February 13th in Ashfield, MA
At Elmer’s: Night of Love and Chocolate
People enjoyed it so much when Elmer’s did it in December that they’re going to do it again for Valentine’s Day! First you start with a quiet and romantic dinner at Elmer’s, starting at 5pm. (Nan will have the white tablecloths on the tables!) afterwhich you move across the street to the Inn at Norton Hill for All the Chocolate you can eat!
Not only is it all the chocolate you can eat, but we are SERIOUS that it is all the chocolate you can eat!
Chef Alan Crofut of Unbridled Chocolate of Marlborough, New Hampshire will be serving:
Flourless Chocolate Layer Cake
Chocolate Ganache Torte
Chocolate Mousse Sponge Cake
Chocolate Pudding Cake
Chocolate Cayenne Mousse with Chocolate Dipping chips
Chocolate Mousse with Chocolate Dipping Chips
An Assortment of Truffles and Bon Bons
Elmer’s will have all of that along with champagne and sparkling cider (non-alcoholic) and live jazz with Michael Downing and Jeff D’Angelo
Elmer’s Store
396 Main Street
Ashfield, MA 01330
(413) 628-4003
neat!