Death By Chocolate 

 

Sunday, April 12, 2026

VIP Access begins at 2:00 p.m.

Location: Bryant Conference Center

240 Paul W Bryant Drive, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

 

Proceeds to Benefit Family Counseling Service

 

Every year in the spring, Family Counseling Service hosts our annual Death by Chocolate fundraiser. The event highlights the chocolate talents of Tuscaloosa’s culinary all stars. And we hope that this year it will include you! By participating, you can promote your own business, as well as support the non-profit services of Family Counseling Service.

 

To build on last year’s new format, we will have several categories in which you can submit an entry.

• Best plate presentation

• Best traditional dessert

• Best special dietary needs (gluten free, diabetic, sugar-free, vegan, etc.)

• Most innovative Creation

 

All entries will also be entered to win the Chef’s Choice Award, People’s Choice Award (voted on by attendees at the event, as well as an award for Best Table Decor.

 

During the event, each competitor will be asked to bring their dish on stage where two trained chefs will be waiting to sample each dessert. The competitor will introduce themselves, what business they are representing and describe the dessert they are presenting. If no one from the business wants to come on stage to announce the dessert, you can have a description prepared and a board member of Family Counseling Service will present your dish on your behalf.

 

We wanted to have you, the competitors, be able to engage with the 400+ audience members in a direct way and to also have your dish judged by someone trained in the culinary arts. Our judges this year will be Cam Parsons and Robert Bowden. Cam Parsons, Jr., a board member of Family Counseling Service, is a local lawyer who works at Parsons Firm. PC. Cam also attended Johnson & Wells Culinary school cooking school in Denver. Our second judge, Robert Bowden, is the owner of Viveré Chocolates, which specializes in custom corporate chocolate gifts. Robert is a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and an alumnus of the University of Alabama. He is a 2017 honoree of Black Enterprise Modern Man of Distinction known as “Mr. Chocolate”.

 

 

Guidelines for Entries

• There will be approximately 20 participants in the chocolate tasting competition. 

• Each entrant must be a licensed food server (e.g., restaurant or caterer) and must register or already be on the Conference Cetner preferred vendor list.

• Entrants may enter one or two chocolate items, but no more than two.

• Entrants must provide enough of each chocolate item entered to allow tasting by 350 individuals.  (Tastings need to be small; a tasting should be ample, but does not need to be a full serving.)  There were approximately 500 in attendance at the last event, so additional tastings are encouraged, as you are able.

• Entrants will have access to the Conference Center startign at 12:00 p.m. and must arrive at the Bryant Conference Center no later than 1:00 p.m. Each vendor event must have at least one person on hand to staff their table throughout the event (until 4:00 p.m.).  Participants should be set up and ready to serve no later than 2:00 p.m. for our VIP guests.

• Entrants will have access to the loading entrance at the rear of the Conference Center, but must move any vehicles away from the entrance unless actively loading or unloading.

• Each entrant will be provided a 8" x 8' booth space, a 6' table and 2 chairs.  We ask that you keep any serving or decorative items on or behind your table, within the alloted space. You may use your own tablcloth or indicate that you want one provided for you.  Entrants will be responsible for providing other décor for their table.  Entrants may use their table to exhibit business information and promotions.  We encourage you to use this opportunity to promote your business!

• Please remember to bring any napkins, forks, plates, etc. that are required in order to enjoy your dessert.

• Vendors will not have access to the kitchen, but can request access to an electrical outlet for any coolers you may need.

• Registrations must be received no later than March 15, 2026. 

 

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