Patuxent High student Tamara Jones hoists her trophy for her dessert creation, which wone the “People’ Choice” award at the Calvert Chamber of Commerce’s 11th annual Chocolover’s Affair April 1. With Jones is Calvert Career and Technology Academy teacher Alessia O’Dell.
Solomons, MD – The Calvert County Chamber of Commerce 11th annual Chocolover’s Affair proved to be a four-and-a-half hour feast for the attendees, who comprised the largest gathering in the event’s history. There was much to be savored. The “affair” was held April 1 at Asbury Solomons Riverside Restaurant.
Highlighting the event was the presentation of the award for the winning dessert. A trophy and set of kitchen knives, the kind skilled, professional chefs use when preparing food, was award to the Calvert Career and Technology Academy student whose dessert creation was deemed the “People’s Choice.”
After enjoying a gourmet surf and turf dinner, event attendees made a beeline for the dessert table—to sample the culinary students’ work and drop a token in the ballot box of their favorite dessert. After the votes were counted, Patuxent High School (PHS) junior Tamara Jones, whose creation, frozen peanut butter squares garnered the most votes among attendees, was announced as the champion chef. The second-highest number of votes was cast for Calvert High School (CHS) student Devin Jones’ raspberry truffle. Another PHS student, Dijonna Short, earned third place with a chocolate crème brulee.
“They have been working on these desserts for months,” said food production teacher Alessia O’Dell, who thanked the staff at Asbury Solomons Riverside Restaurant for their support. The aid included financial support for the volume of chocolate needed to make the students’ creations reality. “The cost of chocolate is prohibitive,” she told the audience.
Other participating students were PHS student Joseph Reeves and Huntingtown High School student Naomi Wilson.
The Chocolover’s Affair marked the end of William Chambers’ tenure as president of the Calvert County Chamber of Commerce. Chambers and his wife Cindy have already moved to the Salisbury area. Chambers is the new president of the Greater Salisbury Chamber of Commerce. Led by the Calvert Chamber’s current board president, Frank Smith, Chambers was hailed for his leadership and his drive for making Calvert a more business friendly community. The outgoing president was presented with a land and waterscape painting done by a local artist but the Calvert Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Chambers reminded members in the room, “you are the chamber” and encouraged to continue to make Calvert a great place to do business. He noted the event was a sellout.
Patuxent High School’s String Trio and Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) also participated in the Chocolover’s Affair—the trio played music during the cocktail hour while the NJROTC presented the Colors. Proceeds from the tickets sold, the support of three tiers (Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate and White Chocolate) of corporate sponsors and the sales of “live raffle auction” items, help The Calvert County Chamber of Commerce provide scholarships to local students.
Live music for the event was performed by Groove Span.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
