Superheroes melt the Chocolate Show New York runway

Halloween came a little bit late for those attending the opening night fashion show gala at the 11th Annual Chocolate Show New York last November, but it was worth the wait for a high-octane event featuring a “superheroes” theme.

As waiters served Champagne to the press, 18 food/fashion hybrid creations concocted by designers, artists, chocolatiers and pastry chefs were showcased on the runway. The decision to go with a theme resulted in a much more cohesive show than the previous year’s gala. The highlights were plentiful, even with accessories falling to the floor and chocolate melting onto and smearing the catwalk. (One woman felt the need to rush onstage and lick the chocolate sweat off of barbell-bearing, bodybuilding model David Barton – yes, he of the David Barton Gym empire – eliciting a mixed response of laughter and horror.) Derek Poirer, the North American pastry chef for Valhrona Chocolate, created a detailed Lara Croft outfit complete with chocolate bustier, chocolate shorts and even chocolate guns. Costume designer Michael Plosky paired up with Martin Howard of Brasserie 8 ½ on a tongue-in-cheek Batgirl outfit with a skit of the heroine zapping her foes brandishing “ZOWIE!” and “WHAP!” signs.

Other designer/chef duos opted for more colorful choices, such as a bright winged skirt and collar for Viracocha the Couveture Warrior by Steve Evetts (executive pastry chef at the Marriott Marquis) and Broadway costume designer Brian Bustos. Another standout was a short-sleeved, layered Superman Dress resembling a Tiffany lamp mosaic, courtesy of John Down of Christopher Norman Chocolates and designer Katalin Varga.

After the gala, the outfits were displayed at Pier 94 for the duration of the Chocolate Show for visitors to view and admire.


Poison Ivy Designer: Kevin Christiana ("Project Runway" alum) Chef: George McKirdy	Xena Designer and chef: Joëlle Mahoney	Glamour Girl Designer: Jessie Lyric Harrell (she's 11 years old!) Chef: Bethany Thouin

Black Widow Artist: Laurance Rassin Chef: Jansen Chan	Iron Man Chef: Michelle Tampakis Chef: Faith Drobbin	Dark Phoenix Designer: Kit Scarbo (another "Project Runway" alum) Chef: Knipschildt Chocolatiers

Gym Super Hero Designer: Narciso Rodriguez Chef: Jacques Torres Model: David Barton of David Barton Gyms	Wonder Woman Designer: Jack Mackenroth ("Project Runway" alum) Chef: Zac Young	Lara Croft Designer: Derek Poirier for Valhrona Chocolate

Cape of the Hero Artist: Stevie Famulari (she is an environmental artist from North Dakota specializing in edible landscapes) Assistant: Adrienne Toubbeh

Barbarella Designer: Gregory Gale Chef: Richard Capizzi	Storm Chef: Vanessa Greeley Chef: Dina Sadik	Dil Spill: Villain to Mother Nature Designer: Renee Masoomian Chef: Vedika Webb

Superman Dress Designer: Katalin Varga Chef: John Down	Sedusa Designer: Esther Nash Chef: Lauri Ditunno	Viracocha the Couveture Warrior Designer: Brian Bustos Chef: Steve Evetts

Batgirl Designer: Michael Plosky Chef: Martin Howard all photos by Bibs Teh