Chocolate Fest, best yet.

The weekend of chocolaty richness is now behind us. But the goodness will carry on and not just in pounds to your mid line.

“We made our goals. Every body is going to get their grant money,” said a very happy Stephanie Allestad, aka The Chocolate Lady, director of the fundraiser event. She was referring to the local radio stations, the Pacific Beach Elementary school and the fire department and Search and Rescue.

Allestad said that the $2,000 that the playground will be awarded will not pay for the entire playground, but that it, “will be good seed money.”

Entities that apply for grant money from the festival are required to donate a minimum of 24 hours of volunteer hours. “They all went above and beyond,” Allestad said.

“Sunday’s crowd was the biggest we’ve ever had. It was the biggest (festival) in history. Four vendors had to go home and restock. In the silent auction, everything went. The classes were full and even the last one of the evening had 15 people in it. This is totally unprecedented,” she gushed.

The weather may have had something to do with it. It was the best weather they have had in the three-year history of the event.

“The vendors were ecstatic, they can’t wait to come back next year. It’s booming. It’s bulging at the seams.”

“This was probably the best, no easiest festival we had, except the computer glitch with the recipe contest. But set up was fast, cleanup was fast and the weather was the best we’ve had.”

The T-shirts were a huge hit too, she said and she is in the process of making another order. If you’d like to get one, email pbcotb@gmail.com.

Because the event was so successful, Allestad ensured, that every organization will get their full grants for which they applied. She also was making a list of donations and possibly replacing the elementary school’s tables which have been breaking over the years.

Other donations will include training supplies and scene safety equipment for the Grays Harbor Fire District No. 8 and radios and equipment for the Grays Harbor Volunteer Search and Rescue.

Allestad already has sponsors lining up for next year.

Upon entry into the event, chocolate lovers were handed a schedule of events and a ballot and were encouraged to visit at least three establishments in the categories of Chocolate Cocktail Throwdown, Battle of the Bean and Chocoholic Award.

Here are the results of the 3rd Annual Chocolate Cocktail Throwdown:

Best Chocolate Shot - Seagate Restaurant and Lounge

Best Chocolate Martini &Specialty Drink - Windjammer Pacific Beach Resort and Conference Center.

Best bartender: Mary Ellen Bishop (again)

Winners of “Battle of the Bean” was between our six local caffeine shops. Here are the results:

Best Chocolate Hot Drink - Ocean Crest Resort; Best Chocolate Cold Drink - Surf House Espresso; Best Barista - Cheresse at the Pacific Beach Resort &Conference Center

The results of the 1st Annual Chocoholic Awards:

Best Starter/Appetizer - The Mill 109 Restaurant &Pub; Best Entrée - Ocean Crest Resort; Best Dessert - The Front Street Market at Seabrook

In the recipe contest, first place Professional Dessert went to Jess Owen of Ocean Crest Resort and Coty MacDonald won the Savory category.Amy Jablonski of Amy’s Decadent Chocolates won the Sweet category. In the General Dessert category Rachel Wiechelman received first place for her Truffle Delight Cake. Second place was won by her mother Jeanne Wiechelman with Daniel’s Black Out Cake.

In the Kid catagory, Halen Christian won first, Caitlyn Scott won second and third place.

Anabelle Estrada won the under 10 years of age category.