BY HELEN MOESER

Special to The Pilot

Chocolate will be "on a mission" when Pinehurst United Methodist Women (PUMW) sponsor the area's first Chocolate Festival on Saturday, Feb. 11.

This everything-chocolate event, which will be held at the church, located at 4111 Airport Road, Pinehurst, will raise funds for local charities. Admission for the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. event is free.

A highlight of the benefit will be a cake bake-off from 10 to 12 a.m., featuring area chefs and bakers.

Jim Dodson, editor of PineStraw, Dr. Susan Purser, recently retired Moore County Schools superintendent, and Pinehurst Mayor Nancy Roy Fiorillo will be among the judges. After the cakes are judged, attendees will be able to place a silent bid on their favorite entry.

In the afternoon, there will also be a cupcake competition open to the community for amateur bakers.

Judging will be handled by two culinary professionals, Zarah Wetmore, pastry chef from Johnson Wales College, and Severine Hutchins, who has a master's degree in nutrition from North Carolina State University. Completing the judging panel are Janelle Canine, of local C Cups Cupcakery, Chris Metzger, Pinecrest High School football coach, and Union Pines High School band director Rob Hill.

There are three age categories: youth ages 8-12, teens 13-18, and adults. Cupcake submissions, limited to two per contestant, will be received at Pinehurst United Methodist church on the day of the festival no later than 12:15 p.m.

There will be two judging categories: Best Tasting Cupcake and Best Decorated Cupcake. The only requirement is that there must be the use of chocolate in the cupcake or frosting. An entry form for this competition is available on the festival website, www.pinehurstchocolatefestival.vpweb.com. Winners in each age group and in each category will receive a ribbon and a prize and need not be present at the event to win.

Discover tricks to making chocolate truffles and other candies throughout the day. Candy-making demonstrations will be conducted by Sandhills Community College students from the pastry and bakery classes in the culinary arts program and by chocolatier Sweet Charity and others.

This event is strategically scheduled for three days before Valentine's Day. Gourmet baked goods and confections will be available for purchase.

A "Chocolate Boutique" will feature handmade chocolate items such as soap, body scrub, gift baskets, candles, body lotion, hand-knit scarves and knit caps for adults and babies, chocolate-themed jewelry, and inedible chocolate decorations.

Special gift baskets have been designed as Valentine gifts for those who enjoy golf, cooking, sewing and much more.

In a special activity area, children (ages 3 to 7) can be involved in decorating a Valentine cookie, creating their own Valentine cards, and other fun projects. There will a small fee for materials in the children's activity area.

Visitors may stop by the "Coca Cafe" for a light chocolate-flavored lunch and/or beverage.

For information, email chocolatefestival@pinehurstumc.org or call the church office at (910) 215-4559. Additional information is also available on the festival's website, www.pinehurst chocolatefestival.vpweb.com.

Proceeds from this event will be donated to Family Promise of Moore County, Friend to Friend, Life Care Pregnancy Center, and other PUMW projects.