For the second year in a row, Agave by Imperial has been crowned the champion of Peterborough’s annual Hot Chocolate Fest.
The family-run Mexican restaurant located at 376 George Street North was awarded the title of Top Chocolatier for their ‘Chocolate Champurrado’, a Mexican hot chocolate made with masa corn, whipped cream, and crushed chilies for a little extra kick, and topped with homemade buñuelos.
Running during February, the festival featured 20 over-the-top hot chocolate creations available for dine-in or takeout at participating cafés, restaurants, and pubs, with festival-goers voting online for their favourites. With more than 1,800 votes cast, Agave’s Chocolate Champurrado claimed first place.
“We are so excited to be top chocolatier for the second year in a row,” says Agave owner Manish Choudhry in a media release. “Our customers loved this addition to our menu and many people looked forward to enjoying the Chocolate Champurrado after their meal. This festival is a great way to bring more people downtown and get out to explore all the wonderful businesses and culinary artists in the area.”
As the winner of the 2024 festival, Agave will receive a hot chocolate themed trophy to display and bragging rights for the year — again.
The Dirty Burger took the title of “Best H’Adult” hot chocolate with their cocoa cocktail named the ‘Honey Cocoa Crunch Puff’, with Milk + Tea Shop winning the “Most Unique” category for their ‘Earl Grey Hot Chocolate’, and Dreams of Beans earning the win in the “Best Classic” category for their ‘Hazelnut Infused Triple Chocolate’.
Organized by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), the Peterborough Hot Chocolate Fest was sponsored by Shorelines Casino.
This year’s festival featured the Hot Chocolate Fest Rewards app, where digital stamp collectors were entered to win a weekly draw for Boro gift cards as well as receive access to exclusive discounts at several downtown businesses. More than 300 festival-goers signed up for rewards and there were four winners in total.
“The festival added a nice little adventure to my daily walks, as I got to try so many delicious and unique hot chocolates while I was out,” says Jake Forbes, one of the Hot Chocolate Fest Rewards winners. “I would map out my route based on the location of the hot chocolate I wanted to try out that day.”
Forbes works at a hotel in the area, where he provides guest services to those staying in Peterborough and introduces them to local experiences.
“I was so excited about this year’s fest,” he says. “I would have the Hot Chocolate website open at the hotel’s front desk computer. When I’m checking in guests, I love to show interesting things to see and do in the area and thought this was the perfect incentive to get people out exploring the downtown. Plus, who doesn’t love chocolate?”
For more information about this year’s Peterborough Hot Chocolate Fest, visit the festival website at www.ptbohotchocolatefest.com.
