Shangri-La Plaza has an indulgent treat for all chocolate lovers of all ages at its ongoing Shang Chocolate Wonderland.
The Main and East Wings of the mall has turned into chocolate haven with fun attractions like a 21-feet fondue, giant chocolate boxes, and large cupcake displays to invite the sweet-toothed to come and try its delicious sweet treats this weekend.
It’s a chocolate festival even Willy Wonka will approve of as friendly jugglers and magicians greet shoppers at the mall and as various chocolatiers have set up their booths to sell various chocolate-inspired products to eat, drink, and even lather on one’s skin.
Shangri-La Plaza EVP and general manager Lala Fojas said the celebration started off as an Easter activity and eventually extended until April 23 to cater to families visiting their mall.
“Not only do kids love chocolates but so do we, the adults, don’t we?” Fojas ethused.
More than 30 exhibitors are featured at the event. Fojas noted, “We’ve brought in not only branded products but also locally developed brands who sell specialty chocolates.”
Included in the exhibitors are Shang tenants: Candy Corner, Epicurious, Marks & Spencer, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Rustan’s Supermarket, Villa del Conte and Wicked. They are joined by Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts (EDSA Shangri-La Manila, Makati Shangri-La and Shangri-La at the Fort) as well as international brands Toblerone, Cadbury, and Kinder Chocolate Cereals.
On the other hand, local chocolatiers and bakers participating in the fair include Theo & Philo,Malagos Chocolates, Coco Dolce,Hiraya Chocolates, Cacao de Davao, Chocoliz, Top Chefs, ChocoATBP., Cocoa Monster, Machiavelli and Manila Chocolatier, NIJI Desserts, Choco-Liquor Cakes by Maricar Reyes-Poon, BiteSize PH, Truffles by K, Hungry Pac, Agueda Manila, Raneese PB Cups, TsokoFino, Ginto Premium Chocolates,Shorts Gourmet and CMBV Confectionaries.
The festival also features various workshops: On Saturday, April 22, there’s a Chocolate Praline Making Demo by Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts at 3:30 p.m.; Truffle Making Workshop by Wicked at 5 p.m.; Chocolate Tasting Workshop by Hiraya Chocolates at 6 p.m.
On Sunday (April 23), there will be a Chocolate Praline Making Demo by Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts at 3:30 p.m. and a Matcha Chocolate Making Workshop by Top Chefs at 5 p.m.
Last Monday, April 17, as part of its CSR activities, Shangri-La Plaza partnered with the Department of Social Welfare and Development to reach out to children from 4PEACE Mandaluyong Chapter, and treated them to a special Jollibee lunch, a cupcake making workshop, and chocolate loot bags.
The chocolate festival is just one of the fun-filled events that Shangri-La Plaza is cooking up this summer. The mall will be hosting the first Swiss Film Festival on April 26 to 28 and on May 5 to 7. According to Fojas, more exciting events are lined up including “an exciting fashion show in May.”
Meanwhile, here are some of the products featured at Shangri-La Plaza’s Choco Wonderland”
For more information, call (+63 2) 370-2597/98 or visit www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficial. Follow the Shang on Instagram: @shangrilaplazaofficial and on twitter: @shangplaza