ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Danny Gasik, left, checks things out with mom as sister Evelyn Gasik checks out his plate as the two move down the line collecting chocolates at the Whole Foods Chocolate Fest held at Whole Foods in Lynnfield on Thursday.
BY GAYLA CAWLEY
LYNNFIELD — The crowds were out for the traditional Whole Foods Chocolate Fest on Thursday with patrons sampling various chocolates before Valentine’s Day.
Katie Lamie, marketing team leader for Whole Foods, said the Chocolate Fest is a tradition at Whole Foods. She wasn’t sure how long the event has been going on, but said each store in the area celebrates Chocolate Fest a week or two before Valentine’s Day.
Lamie said the idea is for people to be able to sample a flavor of each chocolate item to “find the one they want to give to their Valentine.” She said all of the chocolate sampled is sold in Whole Foods.
“It’s more about trying to expose customers to as much as we can,” Lamie said. “There’s so many types on the shelf.”
Lamie said she expected about 200 people at the event, which was held over the course of two hours. She said last year, the line was from the table to the door, so tables were set up the opposite way for Thursday.
“It’s always popular with the customers,” Lamie said. “We do expect free chocolate draws a crowd.”
Lamie said her favorite chocolate is from Taza Chocolate Factory, which is located in Somerville. She said the chocolate is stone ground and not as smooth.
A pair of friends from Reading, Sally Nitzsche and Maryann Higgins, said they saw the event on Facebook. Nitzsche said she came more for the sample, rather than for the holiday.
“I look forward to the dark chocolates,” Nitzsche said. “[They’re] good for you and they taste good.”
Higgins said she and Nitzsche have both been to the Taza Chocolate Factory and “loved it.” She said she “wanted to have fun sampling that.” She also enjoys the chocolate from Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections.
“The dark chocolate-covered cherries are a favorite,” Higgins said.
Jessica Surette, of Wakefield, was standing in line with her two children, a 4-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son, who she said each love chocolate.
“I prefer dark chocolate, but these guys prefer any and all chocolate,” Surette said.
Dolores Curley, of Ipswich, was standing in line with her son Brian Curley, who she said discovered the event online. She said she prefers milk chocolate, but “dark chocolate is supposed to be better for you so we’ll see.” Her son said he also prefers milk chocolate.
“Dark chocolate is too bitter for me,” Brian Curley said.
Gayla Cawley can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley.
