HOT SPRINGS — On Sunday, the first floor of Embassy Suites Hot Springs-Hotel & Spa was transformed into a chocolate-lover’s dream, with 21 tables full of decadent desserts and plates piled high with everything from cupcakes and brownies to crepes and ice cream for the seventh annual Chocolate Festival.
“It’s just decadent,” said Ann Lewis of Hot Springs, who attended the event for the first time.
Like many people, though, she showed up less for the chocolate and more for the cause.
The annual festival benefits the Charitable Christian Medical Clinic, a nonprofit Christian ministry that provides affordable medical care, preventive medicine and health education to uninsured, low-income residents of Hot Springs and the surrounding area.
“I wanted to support the Charitable Christian Medical Clinic,” Lewis said. “I think it’s one of the most wonderful things that we have in Hot Springs.”
Started in 1997, the clinic provides a range of medical and health care benefits, including physical therapy, dietary guidance, access to social workers, patient education, referrals to medical specialists and spiritual counseling.
“We’re multifaceted, and we’re considered one of the Cadillacs of the charitable clinics in the state of Arkansas,” Clinic Administrator Mili Lopez said. “When new ones open, they come to us for training, especially in the drug-assistance program because we are so good at getting medicine in.”
Last year, she said, the clinic provided more than $7 million in medical care and medicine, all made possible by grants and private donations, as well as fundraising events.
“They do so much for the city here,” said Rose Marie Canterberry of Hot Springs, who attended Sunday’s event in support of the organization. “It’s just amazing the service that they give to these people that don’t have any other way of getting medical treatment, so we’re very much behind that.”
Canterberry said Dolce Gelato was her favorite among the 20 vendors at the Chocolate Festival — most were area restaurants. This was the third year for the gelato store owners, Daniel and Larisa Micu, to take part in the event. They said participating in the fundraiser was a way for them to give back to the community and thank their customers.
Other vendors included Belle Arti Ristorante, Central Park Fusion Cuisine, the Culinary District and Don Juan. Non-restaurant participants included Caldwell Banker RPM, St. Joseph’s Mercy Medical Center, the National Park Community College Hospitality Class, and one special young lady, who chose to celebrate her 13th birthday by giving back.
“My mom is a doctor at the Charitable Clinic, and so she said instead of a regular birthday party, I could have a birthday party here. And instead of getting gifts from people, I am giving out to a charity,” said Sophie Rudder, who, along with her friends, handed out chocolate desserts made from 13 ingredients, in honor of her birthday.
Vendors, each of which prepared more than 1,000 mini-desserts, competed for various awards, including Best of Show and Best Taste, which were selected by a panel of judges made up of area legislators and members of the community.
Vendors also had an opportunity to cast their votes for the Vendors’ Choice Award (they were not able to vote for themselves). Ticket holders voted for the People’s Choice Award.
Members of the National Park Community College Hospitality Class won the Best Taste Award for their chocolate baklava drizzled with red-hot candy sauce.
“They’ve worked so hard, and they’ve done such a great job,” hospitality instructor Karla Nardi said. “I’m so proud of them.”
Second place in Best Taste went to Central Park Fusion Cuisine, and third place to Caldwell Banker.
The NPCC team also took home second place in Vendors’ Choice and People’s Choice, as well as third place in Best of Show, which was based on presentation.
The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa took home first place in Best of Show and third place in People’s Choice. Lee’s Spa City Grill was the first-place winner in Vendors’ Choice, and firsttime participant Nom Noms Mexican Grill-N-Chill won the People’s Choice Award.
“I am kind of overwhelmed because this is the one that I really wanted to win because the people decide,” Nom Noms owner Rafael Alvarez said, “and that’s really what makes my business continue.”
This year’s Chocolate Festival raised at least $35,000 for the clinic through ticket sales, sponsorships and a silent auction, with items donated by area businesses.
“I think it’s probably the most successful one we’ve had,” Lopez said, adding that the event had more vendors, more silent auction items and more sponsorships than in previous years, plus about 1,000 people in attendance.
The festival also included entertainment by the “ever-changing” Fun City Four, which comprises members of the Fun City Chorus.
“We call ourselves ‘ever-changing’ because anytime you see us, we may not be the same four guys that you’ve seen before,” member Pete Bower said.
Members of the group have performed at the event almost every year to show their support for the clinic.
“I think it’s an excellent cause,” Bower said. “They do wonderful work there at the clinic for people who have genuine need, so it’s a great program to support.”
For more information about the Charitable Christian Medical Clinic, visit www.ccmchs.com.