Portugal’s Medieval Village of Obidos is Inundated With Chocolate
Obidos is Portugal’s most picturesque medieval village, it’s found about one hour north of Lisbon, and is inundated with chocolate every year. The Obidos Chocolate Festival this year takes place from the 4th to the 14th of March, and has a calendar of special events for each day.
Chocolatiers from around the world (this year from the United States, France, Germany, Brazil, and Austria) compete with others from Portugal in the international chocolate recipe contest, and there are also awards for the local chocolatier of the year, best chocolate window display, and best “chocolate jewelry” (necklaces, bracelets, and rings that must be 80% made with chocolate).
One of the highlights every year is the sculptures exhibition, obviously all made up of chocolate. This year’s creations have the theme of “world wonders” and will be in the form of the Rome Colisseum, the Great Wall of China, the Chichen Itza pyramid, the Taj Mahal, the lost city of Petra, and Portugal’s World Heritage City of Guimarães (which will be the European Capital of Culture in 2012).
On the 12th, it will be time for the annual chocolate fashion show, this year presenting creations by Portuguese designer Augustus who will of course incorporate chocolate into the looks. Other events will include presentations and workshops about cake design, creative (chocolate) gastronomy, and special activities for children which includes telling the history of chocolate.
