Caterers sweeten events serving decadent desserts that challenge waistlines

Caterers in and around Boulder and Broomfield counties might just ruin Colorado’s svelte waistline. That’s because they’re serving some downright decadent desserts these days at events.

Picture this: flowing walls of chocolate. Quite a picture, huh? And it’s fun to just say. Go ahead, say it to yourself: Flowing walls of chocolate. You may have gained a pound just mouthing it.

Well that’s what a Golden-based company called The Chocolate Fountain makes. The Fountain, shaped like the Stanley Cup, can turn chunks of chocolate into a river of yumminess. Guests stand around it and drench strawberries, marshmallows and pineapple with chocolate.

Susan Trenka is the owner. She brought the idea to Colorado in the early part of this year and not surprisingly the fountain is making a splash — literally and figuratively — at events statewide.

Trenka takes the fountain (she has up to eight of them at any one time) to proms, weddings, parties, seminars — anywhere people want chocolate. She even gives chocolate 101 classes during catered affairs.

“It really becomes the centerpiece for most events,” Trenka says. “People like to gather around it and talk and taste. It’s a good icebreaker. Of course women love chocolate, but men do to — they especially like the mechanical aspects of it and how it works.”

The cost for five hours of free-flowing chocolate fun is $395.

As for what’s dipped into the flowing wall of chocolate, that’s left to the imagination. Trenka says popular items are strawberries, pineapples and marshmallows, but get this, cheeses are gaining on taste buds, too.

“People are little hesitant to try cheese, but once they do they like it,” she says. She adds that Gouda and medium cheddar are particularly popular choices.

Fountains of chocolate not enough for you? Then move over to Concertos in Chocolate of Boulder. It makes handmade chocolate creations combining taste and packaging. The company specializes in custom transfer imaging (where even a logo with five colors can be transferred to the top of a molded, filled chocolate) or you can choose from stock images that include “Thank You” or “Congratulations.”

Concertos offers fondue parties with flavors that include grand marnier dark chocolate, milk hazelnut, caramel and fruit complimented by dipping treats such as brandy infused fruits, strawberries, angel food cake and pears.

The company also offers chocolate party favors, gift baskets and boxed chocolates that can be customized.

James Mazzio, named a 1999 Best New Chef by Food and Wine Magazine and a former chef at Triana and 15 Degrees restaurants, has introduced ChefJam, a catering kitchen and restaurant in Broomfield.

After leaving Triana, Mazzio turned to catering — cooking from his home kitchen. He’s now renovated space in Miramonte Lodge in Broomfield to offer Wednesday evening dinners and Sunday afternoon cooking classes. A popular dessert you’ll find there is the eggnog cr?me brule.

If apple pie is American, then the Caramel Apple Granny from Biscuits & Berries Catering is of another world. This work of art has buttery caramel and toffee-studded custard hugging fresh granny smith apples piled high in our melt-in-the-mouth shortbread crust.

Other delectable treats at Biscuits & Berries include the Oreo Cookie Bash — an Oreo cookie with white and milk chocolate cream, covered with a drizzle of dark chocolate. And there is Two-Timing Chocolate — layers of dark- and white-chocolate cheesecake resting atop moist chocolate cake. On top of that — whipped cream and chocolate chips.

on Facebook on LinkedIn