Fashionably, Je t’aime en chocolat

Fashion show. Je t'aime en chocolat. 2016. Marché Bonsecours. Photo Jennifer Guillet Fashion show. Je t'aime en chocolat. 2016. Marché Bonsecours. Photo Jennifer Guillet

I wonder if you have felt it. Did you feel that tremor in the force of desserts? (I know enough with the Star Wars analogies, but what can I say, I am a movie fan!). So DID YOU?

Fashion show. Je t'aime en chocolat. 2016. Marché Bonsecours. Photo Jennifer Guillet

Fashion show. Je t’aime en chocolat. 2016. Marché Bonsecours. Photo Jennifer Guillet

During three days Montreal was changed, a certain feel was in the air… how do you call it? Oh yes. CHOCOLATE. On February 5, 6 and 7, a very special and tasty event was held at the Marché Bonsecours: the annual Montreal Chocolate Show aka Je t’aime en choclat.

Chocolate. Je t'aime en chocolat. 2016. Marché Bonsecours. Photo Jennifer Guillet

Chocolate. Je t’aime en chocolat. 2016. Marché Bonsecours. Photo Jennifer Guillet

Three days of testing, watching, learning, thinking chocolate. From great chefs, chocolate creators, famous restaurants (like Juliette and Chocolat) to designers and chocolate specialists, everything was made to give us a full chocolate blow. To be precise: three floors of everything chocolate. Downstairs a runway platform for special events, first floor an exhibit and a kitchen for demonstrations, second floor: a chocolate market. The fun thing was that you could eat, walk, watch and have a hell of a time. A so I hope you went to the chocolate show, and if not I urge you to go next year. It was very nice.

The highlight for me were the runway shows. Two short chocolate fashion shows were shown downstairs, and it was worth it to take a peek.

Fashion show. Je t'aime en chocolat. 2016. Marché Bonsecours. Photo Jennifer Guillet

Fashion show. Je t’aime en chocolat. 2016. Marché Bonsecours. Photo Jennifer Guillet

The first one “Chocolate en tête” or if you will “Chocolate on the Mind/Head” was a fashion show with a taste of chocolate. Beautiful dresses, nice looking young women (who happen to be ballerinas of the Rose Marie Mullen school) and… chocolate hats. Yes, I swear: white, dark, milk chocolate, colors, top hats, low ones, everything was there. Crazy beautiful. It left me wondering how they made them. Incredible.

Fashion show. Je t'aime en chocolat. 2016. Marché Bonsecours. Photo Jennifer Guillet

Fashion show. Je t’aime en chocolat. 2016. Marché Bonsecours. Photo Jennifer Guillet

The second one “Chic et Choco” (Stylish and Chocolate) was all about chocolate. Chocolate hats, hair pieces, chocolate dresses, beautiful colors. It was a real treat for the eye. It is always nice to see two things melted into one, and when it’s food and design believe me it’s kind of grand to watch! Such an amazing job on the chocolate makers and chief part. Really impressive. The designers did some amazing creations too.

Fashion show. Je t'aime en chocolat. 2016. Marché Bonsecours. Photo Jennifer Guillet

Fashion show. Je t’aime en chocolat. 2016. Marché Bonsecours. Photo Jennifer Guillet

And if you are not really sure that you would like to sit down just to watch pretty people wearing clothes made from chocolate then let me tell you something that will change your mind. In the audience was a beautiful woman, on the other side a beautiful man, both of them wearing clothes full of chocolate, and carrying baskets filled with, yes, chocolate. Both of them passed through the audience with a smile, and greeted them with the chocolates. The audience could even take a piece off one of their clothes! Pretty sexy, right? Convinced now? (If you are not then you are probably the hardest audience member ever). It was definitely a delicious treat (and to be clear: I took my chocolates from the basket).

Fashion show. Je t'aime en chocolat. 2016. Marché Bonsecours. Photo Jennifer Guillet

Fashion show. Je t’aime en chocolat. 2016. Marché Bonsecours. Photo Jennifer Guillet

Another nice treat was the chocolate market, it was nice to see what was new and to be able to taste a few things along the way. A little crowded yes, but yummy for sure. And if you are not sure whether it’s your kind of spot or not then take a look at the pictures, they might give you an idea of the atmosphere.

Fashion show. Je t'aime en chocolat. 2016. Marché Bonsecours. Photo Jennifer Guillet

Fashion show. Je t’aime en chocolat. 2016. Marché Bonsecours. Photo Jennifer Guillet

All in all, Je T’aime en Chocolat is a fun outing for everyone, and a place of discovery. And the fun part is that it is free. Yes, yes, totally free. Go out and take a bite next year. It should not disappoint you.

You can read Esther Szeben’s review of the vendors at the event HERE.