San Francisco International Chocolate Salon March 2- 4, 2012  Public Grand Tasting March 4,2012, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
sfchocolatesalon.com

Fort Mason Center - Festival Pavilion, Buchanan St. & Marina Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94123. Time: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Cost:$25/person; $10 child. sfchocolatesalon.com
 

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.--With the elegance of the a salon atmosphere, the San Francisco International Chocolate Salon provides the stuff dreams are made of--chocolate desserts and confections as far as the eye can see, and wine to go with it. Yummy!

The annual chocolate tasting and wine sampling event held at Fort Mason center is one of the most popular food events in a city filled with chocoholics.  San Francisco is home to several famous chocolate companies and when you say "chocolate" people smile.

Artisan, gourmet and premium chocolates from more than 40  master chocolatiers and confectioners  includes celebrity chef demonstrations, chocolate tastings, new product launches, chef and author talks and book signings and wine tasting, too. Non-chocolate exhibitors and artisans  on hand include select wineries participating in the first annual San Francisco Invitational Wine Salon.

Wineries expected to attend and showcase their products include East Bay Vintner's Alliance members R&B Cellars, Rock Wall Wine Company, and Urban Legend Cellars. Wineries such as Quady Winery, Punk Dog Wines, Sol Rouge / Winery Collective, Greater Purpose and The Winery SF will provide an experience that rounds out the rich chocolate tastes with fine wines.

Chocolate connoisseurs  will be glad to know that their favorite chocolatiers, plus up & coming talents find this event a great way to offer the public tastes that they may not be exposed to otherwise.  Look for Christopher Michael Chocolates, Plumeria Flours, Saratoga Chocolates, Choclatique, Divine Chocolate, Landru Chocolates, Alter Eco Fair Trade Chocolate, Goat Milk Candy Company, Snake & Butterfly, Clarine's Florentines, Salt Side Down Chocolates, Dolce Bella Chocolates and Cafe, Neo Cocoa, Fabrica de Chocolate Momotombo, CocoTutti, Her Coconess Confections, Marti Chocolatt, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, Gateau et Ganache, Nicole Lee Fine Chocolates, Vice Chocolates, Socola Chocolatier, Amano Artisan Chocolate, Cacao Atlanta Chocolate Co., William Dean Chocolates, Seattle Chocolate Company, Jade Chocolates, Kika's Treats, CJ's Toffee and Toppings, Valrhona Chocolates, Pure Dark, Taza Chocolate, 5th Avenue Chocolatiere, and New Tree.  The Tea Room chocolate and Guittard Chocolate Company will also have tables at the salon.

Garden Creamery sorbet, VAD Vodka and Rigolo Cafe are among other food and beverage vendors on display.

Businesses attending include:  Books Inc., Vital Tours / Shell Vacations Club, Comcast, the Bread Project, the Alliance Francaise de San Francisco, Wyndham Vacation Resorts,  New York Times,  California Cookie Cutter Collectors' Club, TasteTV, and more.

Salon highlights feature chocolate tasting, demonstrations, new product launches and flavor combinations, fair trade & organic offerings, chef & author talks, wine pairings, ongoing interviews by TasteTV's Chocolate Television program, and book signings.
 

Other San Francisco Festivals you may want to check out include:

San Francisco's How Weird Festival, San Francisco's Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival,  and Tulipmania Tulip Festival at Pier 39, San Francisco, CA.