Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

WHO HAS THE BEST HOT CHOCOLATE?

Inaugural YKA Hot Chocolate Festival a heart-warming way to support a great local cause

Feb 14, 2024 | 7:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s a tasty win-win. Buy a hot chocolate from participating local businesses this month, and a portion of the proceeds will go towards the Mount Paul Community Food Centre (CFC).

“And one to three dollars from each hot chocolate sold comes back to the Community Food Centre,” says Manager Dawn Christie. “We’re supporting local businesses but also they’re in turn supporting a local non-profit.”

Eleven different shops are competing for votes in the inaugural YKA Hot Chocolate Festival, each designing their own unique take on the classic winter beverage. (See full list at bottom of article.)

Festival lead volunteer and organizer Sarah Ladd says she got the idea after seeing a similar event in Calgary. Ladd sought out planning materials from the organizers of the Alberta festival, and in return, they requested that she find a local food security program to support through it.

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So far, Ladd says the first half of the month-long fundraising festival has been going smoothly.

“I love all chocolate equally. I mean it’s just like children, I don’t have a favourite child, and I don’t have a favourite hot chocolate,” she laughs. “Everything I have tried so far has been so good, and so different from each other. You can’t compare.”

Image Credit: YKA Hot Chocolate Festival / ISC Mount Paul Community Food Centre

Run through Interior Community Services, the CFC aims to improve food security in Kamloops through its meal programs, affordable produce market, cooking and gardening classes. Money raised through the festival will go toward supporting any centre operations or programs that need it.

“[Proceeds are] going to the Community Food Centre. It’s unrestricted funding so we don’t necessarily have one program that it’s going to be dedicated to,” adds Christie. “This is our first hot chocolate festival so we’re kind of making sure that we’re afloat and that we’re able to get it going for sure.”

Ladd says the fundraising target is $2,500, and judging by how busy each vendor has told them it’s been, organizers are confident they will reach that goal.

“Some of them (vendors) are saying, ‘We get 20 people in at a time.’ One organization was telling me they make 20 litres of infused milk every day to keep up with the demand.”

The festival wraps up on February 29. For more information on participating locations, and how to cast your vote, go to MountPaulCommunityFoodCentre.com.

YKA Hot Chocolate Festival Vendors:

5Bean Brew Bar (2 locations)

Brynn’s Bakery

Gold Leaf Pastries

Hello Toast

Logjam Coffee

Mittz & Co

Nate’s Brew Bar

The London Creative

The Vic Downtown

Zaaz Eatery and Play