Start: December 03, 2008 at 06:00 PM

End: December 03, 2008 at 10:00 PM

Commemorate World AIDS Day at one of the sweetest and most unique events of the year, World of Chocolate, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s highly anticipated annual holiday extravaganza, held on Dec. 3 at the Hilton Chicago. Hosted by world renowned chef, author and television personality Art Smith and his partner and artist Jesus R. Salgueiro, the decadent event will invite guests to dine on savory chocolate treats from over 30 of Chicago’s finest chocolatiers, restaurants and caterers, while raising funds for the fight against HIV/AIDS.  Local celebrities will be in attendance to judge the night’s top confections.  Past creations have set the bar high for the upcoming event with an Aztec themed chocolate pyramid, a 20-foot, 8-inch tower of chocolate, flowing chocolate fountains and a Willy Wonka-style chocolate river.

While sampling the savory spread and mingling with fellow chocolate lovers, guests browse the Holiday Bazaar, which features fine gifts and ornaments from local merchants. This one-of-a-kind event includes a light buffet, specialty cocktails like chocolate martinis, a raffle with luxurious prizes, live jazz music and high-energy performances by Rose Colella Quartet and Larry "Hot Chocolate" Edwards, an international celebrity impersonator.

World AIDS Day is a worldwide effort to increase public awareness and encourage support and programming to prevent the spread of HIV infection. Since 1988, Dec. 1 has been observed every year when an international summit of health leaders called for a greater exchange of information on HIV/AIDS in every country around the globe.

TICKETS: For more information and to reserve tickets, call (312) 922-2322 or visit www.aidschicago.org.

General Admission: $75 in advance, $100 at the door
 
Red Ribbon Ticket: $150 (includes red ribbon lapel pin and acknowledgment in the program book.)

Cocoa Sweetheart: $350 (includes two event tickets, name recognition in the program book and on a holiday tree.)

Bittersweet Bliss: $800 (includes four event tickets, name recognition in the program book and on a holiday tree as well as invitation to private pre-reception from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.)