This Valentine's Day, the ladies in pink are hoping for more that chocolate.
They are looking for a cure.
Fast Facts
Le Chocolate Feast
Who: Pink Divas of NWA
When: Jan. 31
Where: Northwest Arkansas Mall in Fayetteville
Funds raised: $7,000
Information: lechocolatefeast.org
The Pink Divas of Northwest Arkansas came together Jan. 31 for the annual Le Chocolate Feast at the Northwest Arkansas Mall in Fayetteville to raise funds for local breast cancer survivors.
The organization is a support group dedicated to serving all individuals diagnosed with, being treated for and surviving breast cancer. They also provide scholarships for children and survivors.
The Divas, many survivors themselves, understand the importance of a little TLC and what better way to show their support than through the decadence of locally crafted chocolate, members agreed.
"This was the 17th year for the event," said Kerry Russell, a member of the Pink Divas. "It was started by the mall to promote Valentine chocolates and to get more people in the mall."
And people came.
The popular event raised more that $7,000, helping the organization provide funding for supportive care, transportation costs, wigs, lymphedema garments and more, Russell said.
Some 800 guests attended the event, which lasted through lunch -- good timing because participants needed a big appetite to get through the huge box of chocolates provided by local vendors.
Participants were given an empty box and a checklist of 12 businesses. They then traveled to each vendor's booth for a sampling of chocolate goodies including frozen items. Already full, participants were also given a coupon for a free chocolate chunk cookie from Chick-fil-a.
The vendors included Bordinos/Fayetteville Pastry Shop which was awarded Most Creative by the Divas. The companies provided spicy chocolate and chocolate orange truffles dusted with pink and orange sparkle sugar.
NorthWest Arkansas Community College Culinary Arts team won the Best Tasting award for its strawberry crunch truffle.
KYYA Chocolate won Best Display with its single organic chocolate bars.
Other vendors included Common Grounds, Jammin' Java, Shake's Frozen Custard, Kid's Kitchen, Red Lobster, Dippin Dots, Chick-fil-A, Great American Cookie Company and Cabela's, which won the People's Choice Award for its variety of chocolate, peanut putter and nut fudges.
Children were invited to decorate their own heart-shaped sugar cookie with Kid's Kitchen while sipping on hot chocolate and their parents' chocolate coffee.
After the most successful year yet, the Divas said they are looking forward to an even bigger turnout in 2016.
"We will be doing the event next year," Russell said. "It's a lot of fun, and you see lots of pink!"
Allison Carter can be reached by email at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWAAllison
NAN Profiles on 02/08/2015