A night of indulgence: Dixon college to host ‘A Chocolate Rendezvous’ in February

DIXON – Sauk Valley Community College is serving up an evening of live entertainment, decadent chocolates and fine dining Feb. 15.

“A Chocolate Rendezvous” will feature over 100 chocolates and desserts from international and local confectionaries, including Folsom’s Bakery of Rock Falls, Baker Street of Dixon and The Noble Cakery of Oregon. Live performances include Midwest rockabilly group 3 On the Tree, singer songwriter Sophie Coyote and award-winning electric violinist Alex Ahn.

The event will take place from 6-9 p.m. at SVCC, 173 Illinois Route 2, with early admission at 5 p.m. for VIP guests. SVCC Vice President of Advancement Lori Cortez said no one will leave the event hungry.

“This year’s event will be catered by McCormick’s,” Cortez said. “We will have a pasta bar, featuring three different types of sauces, proteins and pastas, including a gluten-free option. There will also be a pork loin carving station, charcuterie display, shrimp cocktails and a coffee bar.”

The Barrel Society of Princeton will be on hand to offer bourbon pairings for different foods, chocolates and coffee. Attendees can sample different bourbons and other spirits, and a photographer will be available to capture personalized portraits that guests can take home.

General admission tickets are $95. Extended Experience tickets are $150 and include early admission and an elevated buffet that includes a miniature beef Wellington, bacon-wrapped dates and stuffed mushrooms. All admission options include three beverage tickets.

“Leave your wallets at home,” Cortez said. “Once a person buys their ticket, everything at the event is completely free. There won’t be any auctions or dessert dashes. It’s just one big party.”

Ticket sale proceeds will go to support SVCC’s Impact Program, which helps local students pay for their tuition by completing volunteer service hours within their community.

“We’re extremely proud of our Impact kids,” Cortez said. “We currently have 1,400 students in the program and as of this week, those kids have reached 60,000 hours of community service.”

Tickets can be purchased online at hi.switchy.io/S57d. For more information, call Cortez at 815-835-6260.