A celebration of chocolate is coming!

The Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of its Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival  from 12 – 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 12-13 at San Francisco’s historic Ghirardelli Square.

Projected to be the biggest Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival to date, this two-day celebration will feature unique samples by some of the finest local dessert companies, chef demonstrations from chocolatiers, ice-cream sundae eating contests and of course, Ghirardelli Chocolate!

What’s even sweeter, is 100 percent of the profits from the festival will benefit Project Open Hand and its efforts to serve “meals with love” to people with HIV/AIDS, the homebound critically ill, and seniors.

“For the past 20 years, the Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival has created unforgettable food experiences for the community,” says Martin Thompson, Ghirardelli president and ceo. “As the event grows each year, it has become a San Francisco staple bringing foodies and families back each year. With more than 30,000 people predicted to attend, we know we will raise a record-breaking amount for Project Open Hand.”

With general Chocolate Tasting Tickets, guests will indulge in delicacies ranging from chocolate crepes and cupcakes, to Ghirardelli’s World Famous Hot Fudge Sundaes.

General Tasting Tickets are $20 for 15 tastes when purchased in advance, or $25 at the door.

Ghirardelli Chocolate and Wine Pavilion Tasting Tickets offer guests an additional 12 tastings in the Ghirardelli Chocolate & Wine Pavilion and a souvenir wine glass.These tickets on Saturday are $50 in advance or $60 at the door. Sunday tickets are $40 in advance and $60 at the door. Guests must be 21+ years old to take part in the Ghirardelli Chocolate & Wine Pavilion tastings.

In addition, several general events will be available at no charge.

The festival events include:

Ghirardelli Chocolate & Wine Pavilion: Open to festival guests 21 years and older, the pavilion is the perfect place to sip and savor premium samples from local wineries and gourmet dessert vendors in the heart of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival. This new and exclusive area of the event will require an additional “Pavilion” ticket good for 12 gourmet tastings for a great opportunity to unwind, relax, and try something new!

Ghirardelli Chocolate Earthquake Ice Cream Eating Contest: A Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival Tradition! Festival attendees can compete or just witness the hilarity as five lucky people eat the famous Ghirardelli "Earthquake" Sundae as fast as they can without hands. Battling each other and their own stomachs, competitors are sure to make this experience a memorable (and delicious) one. Children also compete with a smaller version of the famous Earthquake Sundae. There are three competitions on both Saturday and Sunday.

Chocolate School- "From Cocoa Bean to Chocolate Bar": Guests can join Ghirardelli's own "Chocolate Professor" Steve Genzoli, as he teaches "Chocolate School" and takes audience members through a tour of the delicious chocolate making process. Attendees will learn every step a bean takes to become that mouth watering chocolate bar from Ghirardelli's own Chocolate Professor.

Wente Vineyards Culinary Stage: Local culinary professionals work their delicious magic on both Saturday and Sunday at the Wente Vineyards Culinary Stage. The perfect chance to be engaged in all things chocolate and learn the inside scoop on many delectable delights. Learning has never tasted so good!

Samples from 50+ vendors: Decadent chocolate and wine tastings from Ghirardelli Hot Fudge Sundaes to chocolate cupcakes and everything in between!

The Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. is manufacturer and marketer of premium chocolate products, and it recently celebrated 162 years of chocolate making. Ghirardelli’s product line includes its signature Squares chocolate, the new minis chocolate line, Intense Dark chocolate, Gourmet Milk chocolate, Ghirardelli Chocolate Bars, other chocolate confections, baking chocolate and beverages.

Every day, Project Open hand prepares 2,500 nutritious meals and provides 400 bags of healthy groceries to help sustain those in the community battling serious illnesses, isolation, or the health challenges of old age.

It looks like this year’s festival is sure to be a delectable experience for all involved!A celebration of chocolate is coming!

The Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. is celebrating its 20^thAnniversary during the Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival  from 12 – 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 12-13 at San Francisco’s historic Ghirardelli Square.

Projected to be the biggest Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival to date, this two-day celebration will feature unique samples by some of the finest local dessert companies, chef demonstrations from chocolatiers, ice-cream sundae eating contests and of course, Ghirardelli Chocolate!

What’s even sweeter, is 100 percent of the profits from the festival will benefit Project Open Hand and its efforts to serve “meals with love” to people with HIV/AIDS, the homebound critically ill, and seniors.

“For the past 20 years, the Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival has created unforgettable food experiences for the community,” says Martin Thompson, Ghirardelli president and ceo. “As the event grows each year, it has become a San Francisco staple bringing foodies and families back each year. With more than 30,000 people predicted to attend, we know we will raise a record-breaking amount for Project Open Hand.”

With general Chocolate Tasting Tickets, guests will indulge in delicacies ranging from chocolate crepes and cupcakes, to Ghirardelli’s World Famous Hot Fudge Sundaes.

General Tasting Tickets are $20 for 15 tastes when purchased in advance, or $25 at the door.

Ghirardelli Chocolate and Wine Pavilion Tasting Tickets offer guests an additional 12 tastings in the Ghirardelli Chocolate & Wine Pavilion and a souvenir wine glass. These tickets on Saturday are $50 in advance or $60 at the door. Sunday tickets are $40 in advance and $60 at the door. Guests must be 21+ years old to take part in the Ghirardelli Chocolate & Wine Pavilion tastings.

In addition, several general events will be available at no charge.

The festival events include:

• Ghirardelli Chocolate & Wine Pavilion: Open to festival guests 21 years and older, the pavilion is the perfect place to sip and savor premium samples from local wineries and gourmet dessert vendors in the heart of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival. This new and exclusive area of the event will require an additional “Pavilion” ticket good for 12 gourmet tastings for a great opportunity to unwind, relax, and try something new!

• Ghirardelli Chocolate Earthquake Ice Cream Eating Contest:A Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival Tradition! Festival attendees can compete or just witness the hilarity as five lucky people eat the famous Ghirardelli "Earthquake" Sundae as fast as they can without hands. Battling each other and their own stomachs, competitors are sure to make this experience a memorable (and delicious) one. Children also compete with a smaller version of the famous Earthquake Sundae. There are three competitions on both Saturday and Sunday.

• Chocolate School- "From Cocoa Bean to Chocolate Bar":Guests can join Ghirardelli's own "Chocolate Professor" Steve Genzoli, as he teaches "Chocolate School" and takes audience members through a tour of the delicious chocolate making process. Attendees will learn every step a bean takes to become that mouth watering chocolate bar from Ghirardelli's own Chocolate Professor.

• Wente Vineyards Culinary Stage:Local culinary professionals work their delicious magic on both Saturday and Sunday at the Wente Vineyards Culinary Stage. The perfect chance to be engaged in all things chocolate and learn the inside scoop on many delectable delights. Learning has never tasted so good!

• Samples from 50+ vendors:Decadent chocolate and wine tastings from Ghirardelli Hot Fudge Sundaes to chocolate cupcakes and everything in between!

The Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. is manufacturer and marketer of premium chocolate products, and it recently celebrated 162 years of chocolate making. Ghirardelli’s product line includes its signature Squares chocolate, the new minis chocolate line,Intense Dark chocolate, Gourmet Milk chocolate, Ghirardelli Chocolate Bars, other chocolate confections, baking chocolate and beverages.

Every day, Project Open hand prepares 2,500 nutritious meals and provides 400 bags of healthy groceries to help sustain those in the community battling serious illnesses, isolation, or the health challenges of old age.

It looks like this year’s festival is sure to be a delectable experience for all involved!