An evening dedicated to chocolate

Glossy, rich chocolate gleamed under the lights of the Hilton Colombo Lobby, as onlookers stared at them in wonder. The chocolate wasn’t for eating though but was rather a sculpture made to look like a dress ⁠— created by the fashion design students from Mod’Art International and Lanka Institute of Fashion Technology (LIFT).

By Tera Jayewardene 

Glossy, rich chocolate gleamed under the lights of the Hilton Colombo Lobby, as onlookers stared at them in wonder. The chocolate wasn’t for eating though but was rather a sculpture made to look like a dress ⁠— created by the fashion design students from Mod’Art International and Lanka Institute of Fashion Technology (LIFT).

The exhibit was unveiled in the hotel's lobby on Wednesday 7 August and is in keeping with their theme of focusing on one specific seasonal produce monthly, with Cacao taking the stage this time. 

Guests also enjoyed a chocolate-themed selection of curated high tea specialties at the buffet, as mannequins showcase a range of chocolate incorporated designs.

The dessert unveiled were unique and inventive, with dishes such as the Double Chocolate Caramel Miso, Mango Carmelito and Hazelnut with Chocolate Kulfi. Surprisingly though, it was not the desserts that took up the spotlight but the savouries, which also incorporated chocolate. 

A standout dish was the Leeks, Chicken and Chocolate Pie, with chocolate sprinkled on top as a finishing touch. Other recommendations include the Dark Chocolate and chopped Rubbed Pork Belly with Chocolate BBQ Sauce and Smoked Chicken Mini Mandwich with Wasabi Cream, Rocket and Dark Chocolate Loaf. 

Chocolate sugar body scrub by Scrubs.lk was unveiled during the event as well. The scrub promises to moisten skin, and is locally made. It also has no added colours and preservatives, is alcohol-free and is not tested on animals. 

The fashion design students  - namely Anne Jayewardene, Monalie Gunasekara, A Bithu B.S Silva, Imasha W Karunatilleke, Ayesha Zikker and Kavishka Dias - were challenged to let their imaginations soar and create a wearable garment inspired by chocolate.

Their designs will be exhibited at Hilton Colombo for any members of the public who wish to see them, along with a book called Chocolate Story that details their creations, as well as the origins of chocolate.  

In addition to all the chocolatey goodness of that evening, special chocolate slabs have been unveiled and can now be purchased at Cafe Kai. Flavours include Milk chocolate with Nuwara Eliya tea, Milk chocolate with Salted Caramel, Milk chocolate with mixed dry fruits and nuts and Dark chocolate with mint.

The chocolates have no added preservatives, no refined sugar and are homemade. One lucky purchaser of the chocolate slabs will win a golden ticket that gives them a years supply of their delicious handmade chocolate.

(Pix by Ishanka Sunimal)