You are likely to see artistic chocolate sculptures like this one at the Chocolate Sunday Festival. Photo courtesy Bev Allman.

The Southwest Virginia Chapter of the American Culinary Federation is teaming up with Hotel Roanoke & Conference center for the first Chocolate Sunday Festival this Sunday, March 10 from noon to 5 p.m.

Area vendors at this festival will provide tastings of their choice of chocolate dishes and products. In addition, guests will get to take in several demonstrations from special chef guests, who will “showcase their unique chocolate dessert tips and techniques,” according to a press release from the ACF.

Those guests include Jean-Francois Suteau, Top 10 Pastry Chef of 2011 and Executive Pastry Chef at The Greenbrier; Geoffrey Blount, baking and pastry instructor at Central Piedmont Community College; Sergio Mueller, New Product Specialist for Albert Uster Imports; Jennifer England, cake maker and owner of La Bella Torta; and Cheryl Gum, head candy and chocolate chef for The Greenbrier.

In addition to all this, there will be opportunities to win door prizes.

The American Culinary Federation Southwestern Virginia Chapter is using this event to raise money for its community outreach programs, which include teaching area children and adults the benefits of eating healthy and cooking healthy. All of the proceeds from the event will go to these programs.

To reserve a ticket to the event, go to swvacacf.org.  Tickets are $25 each.