Dulcineasdiarycontinued: Saturday 12th August 2017 - Smooth Festival of Chocolate in the Rocks (Two days of decadent desserts)

It's once again time for the annual Smooth Chocolate Festival - yep 2 days of everything chocolate in The Rocks between 10 am and 6 pm. I am currently seeking refuge in the members lounge at the MCA from the crowd outside.

Combine the Chocolate Festival with the Rocks Markets over one weekend and you have an ocean of people. Thousands even millions of them.

This year the chocolate festival had 11 special features

1. The Mr Black Expresso Martini Bar Tallawoladah Place

2. The Lindt Lounge
Tallawoladah Place

3. A Taste of The Rocks
Bligh & Barney Reserve

By the time I reached this special feature I was all chocolated out and had to say no when offered some chocolate product from Whisk & Pin - I did however accept a piece of dried mango.

4. The Baci Chocolatiers' Quarters
Featuring The Baci Experience & Dean Gibson
Cargo Hall - Overseas Passenger Terminal

I purchased the largest 400 g box of Baci chocolates for myself as well as some double coated stuffed dates from a social enterprise company and a block of "Marrickville" chocolate from Sydney Chocolates because it tasted quite nice and contained gin in it. I really wanted a "St Ives" block of chocolate but unfortuately they didn't have a South African influenced block of chocolate.

5. Callebaut Test Kitchen
Overseas Passenger Terminal Forecourt

Kristen Tibbals and Cameron Daddo on stage

6. Smooth Star's Stage
First Fleet Park

7. Sydney Props Jungle
Atherden Street

This was so tucked away it was a little difficult to find and tiny - blink and you could miss the actual chocolate sculptures amongst all the props.

8. The Smooth Relaxation Station
Overseas Passenger Terminal Forecourt

9. Picnic Space
Bligh & Barney Reserve

10. Piazza D'Oro
George Street & Circular Quay West

11. Cellar masters Touring Cellar Door
Overseas Passenger Terminal Forecourt

Rating : 8/10 - long queues for food, too many people same types of desserts mostly with some form of dairy included in them which I can't eat. Free Lindt balls and Baci balls given out. This year I spent most of my time at Overseas Passenger Terminal area. Did not visit # 1 - because I don't drink not even coffee, # 2 - same every year & went in the past therefore did not queue up to visit again this year, # 8 - not interested, # 9 - can't sit down if you can't get anything to eat first, some stalls sold out of product before end of day 1 of festival, # 10 - unsure what this is and whether I missed it & # 11 - again don't drink.

Same celebrities were present Melissa Doyle and Cameron Daddo with Kristen Tibbals at the Callebaut Test Kitchen designed and constructed by Knebel Kitchens located at the Overseas Passenger Terminal Forecourt.

General photos of The Smooth Chocolate Festival attached and photos of chocolate products I tasted or/or purchased below.