Victoria’s most decadent food event returns this August with a month-long Hot Chocolate Festival set to warm up visitors to the Surf Coast, Yarra Valley and the Mornington Peninsula from 1st – 31st August 2019.

Lovers of hot chocolate will have 31 reasons to brave the winter chills and venture to the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie, the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie or the recently opened Mornington Peninsula Chocolaterie for this seasonal celebration of a winter warming favourite.

European Chocolatiers at each destination have devised 31 different flavours for 31 days in August – with a revolving menu of eight hot chocolates to try each week inspired by premium milk, dark, white or ruby couverture chocolate and artisan ingredients.

Expect the line-up to take the classic chocolate and milk combination to hot new heights with temptations such as decadent Mocha Margarita, Hot Shoey, Troll Magic, Mad Chocolatier, A Girl’s Best Friend made with ruby chocolate & rose champagne and even Green Goddess with kale and coconut.

Temperatures will rise over the collection of hot chocolate showstoppers that promise to be extra adventurous with elements such as fairy floss, chimney cakes, melting chocolate discs and syringes to infuse flavours - while added creations from the Chocolaterie’s French Pastry Chefs such as Oreo-coated churros, crispy French crepes and giant macarons will provide next level indulgence.

All ‘limited edition’ hot chocolates in the festival’s line-up will be served with an extra shot of milk, dark or white melted couverture chocolate and of course the ultimate accompaniment – a giant handcrafted marshmallow. For those that can’t decide, this year, new hot chocolate tasting flights will be on offer.

Devotees of the winter warmer can enrol in Hot Chocolate Tasting Sessions on offer throughout the month-long Festival. For just $20 per person, visitors can sip and savour eight different hot chocolate flavours – then get hands on creating three ‘hot chocolate spoons’ from 50 different ingredients to take home and whisk into hot milk for their very own, personalised hot chocolate decadence anytime. Bookings are essential for the 45-minute hosted tasting sessions.

Each Chocolaterie is open every day 9am-5pm, where chocolate lovers of all ages are welcomed with free tastings, the chance to watch Chocolatiers at work, marvel in the spectacular showroom of hundreds of different chocolate varieties or enjoy freshly churned artisan ice creams.

The Yarra Valley and Great Ocean Road destinations also offer an all-day Café overlooking landscaped grounds, orchard and kitchen garden, serving lunches, decadent desserts and a changing array of cakes, tarts and pastries made fresh daily by talented French Pastry Chefs. The newly-opened petite Mornington Peninsula Chocolaterie tempts visitors with hot and cold beverages, artisan gelato and waffles to take away and enjoy in the sun.

For more details, visit gorci.com.au, yvci.com.au and mpchoc.com.au. 

Always compare your flight tickets here first to get the best flight deals to Australia!