Lower Hutt is warming up for the annual “Sweet As” Hutt Hot Chocolate Challenge and for the first time will host a series of events throughout the challenge when it gets underway next month.
The challenge, which began in 2015, involves local cafes putting forth a signature hot chocolate creation and customers voting for their favourite. The challenge is the only one of its kind in Australasia.
A record 20 hospitality operators including cafes, restaurants, pubs, a bakery, and a sweet shop in Lower Hutt’s City Centre, have created their own signature hot chocolate drinks for people to enjoy throughout the school holidays. Customers will be the given the chance to vote for their favourite hot chocolate via QR codes available at each café with the winning hot chocolate declared at the end of the challenge which takes place between 7-24 July.
The events which will run during the challenge, include a Biscoff Hot Chocolate and Donut Scoff! hosted by Fix Federation where a selection of people will be challenged to smash back a donut and Biscoff Smash Hot Chocolate before their fellow contestants; French Hot Chocolate Tastings at The Chocolate Story; and Death By Chocolate evening at Buzz café for unlimited hot chocolate and topping treats; Hot Chocolate Karaoke and a Sweet As Hot Chocolate Quiz Night at Cutlers and ‘Design you own Superhero’ custom made hot chocolate designs sketches using technology never used before in New Zealand at Hudson’s.
The Southend Business Group will host three community events called “Design Your own Hot Chocolate” featuring a mystery box of ingredients to make and taste a unique hot chocolate.
Originality and creativity are once again shown through with this year’s entries. Customers can be treated to the country’s first ever frozen hot chocolate from Jojo Sweet Treats, a traditional ‘PB&J Smores’ house made flame toasted marshmallow hot chocolate at Bellbird café, to a savoury style Miso and Umami flavoured gourmet hot chocolate at Espresso High, to a drink involving everything with Biscoff at Fix Federation and even a flamed orange, Irish cream and wicked white chocolate decorated with one of three superheroes at Hudsons.
For the full list of the 2022 Hot Chocolate Challenge participants and events visit the Sweet As Challenge Facebook page.
