Sweet!

It's the food of the gods and the object of late-night cravings all rolled into one. And the world's favorite dessert is finally taking a bow in Cleveland Heights today for the start of the weekend-long Northeastern Ohio Chocolate Festival. "It's more universal and more loved than any other food," says Adrienne Roth, the fest's organizer. "So why not chocolate on Mother's Day weekend?" Good question. And the answer lies in every chocolate incarnation imaginable, from cookies, brownies, and cupcakes to chocolate-covered apples and strawberries. The indie flick Death, Taxes . . . and Chocolate, will roll on a screen while a row of vendors peddles products on the Chocolate Boardwalk. There will also be chocolate-making clinics by local chefs. "We'll work with the chocolate, and then we all eat it," laughs Roth.The price of a ticket also scores you a seat at the first-ever National Fudge Brownie Eating Contest. "Anyone who comes is going to get a ton of food," says Roth, who'll make chocolate-covered Double Stuf Oreos for the occasion. "Everybody loves chocolate. It's something people buy, when they don't have money for something else. It's the recession-proof festival." The fest runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow at the Cleveland Heights Community Center Pavilion, 1 Monticello Boulevard in Cleveland Heights. Admission is $8 to $10 in advance and $10 to $12 at the door. Call 216-321-5253 or visit www.neochocolatefestival.com.
May 10-11, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 2008