Spotlight: The Fifth Annual Culinary Awards and Oscar Party

Join The HotChocolate Society at its 2012 Oscar Party and help raise money to keep movies in Manchester. An industry-wide shift to all digital distribution threatens to close Manchester’s only cinema unless it raises $175,000 by March 15.

The society (which “create[s] great times for people that appreciate chocolate and good stories,” according to its Facebook page) will contribute 30 percent from ticket sales to this year’s Oscar Party to the “Digitize Village Picture Shows!” Kickstarter campaign. The event includes a pre-show reception featuring Vermont artisan breads and cheeses and live entertainment, the broadcast of the 85th Academy Awards, a complimentary champagne cocktail for those over 21, dinner, and dessert, with green-screen photography and one photo print.

The Culinary Awards challenges chefs to explore the art of cooking with cacao, cocoa, or chocolate. Guests can vote for Best Savory and Sweet Bite.

There’s also a “red carpet” optional fashion competition and Oscar pool that will award prizes to the top three winners.

Earlier in the day, chocolate lovers can attend a chocolate tasting event with Clay Gordon, author of Discover Chocolate! (Gotham Books, 2007), and creator of TheChocolateLife.com.

Tickets may be purchased online or at Village Picture Shows and Zippy Chicks in Manchester or at Crazy Russian Girls Bakery in Bennington. The event is produced by Eons Creative.