Safe Passage’s sixth annual Evening of Chocolate caused a lot of mouths to melt on Saturday.

Ten tables were adorned with chocolate desserts from residents and local business donations at South Pointe Center, 200 Gurler Road, where the event took place. First, second and third place awards were given to winners of the dessert contest.

State Rep. Bob Pritchard (R-Hinckley), State’s Attorney Ron Matekaitis, DeKalb County Clerk Sharon Holmes, DeKalb Mayor Kris Povlsen and Cindy Lipka, a former chief taster for Hershey’s, were among the 15 judges who decided the contest’s winners.

Pam Wiseman, executive director at Safe Passage, said this is the only fundraiser the non-profit organization has and it was a success.

“It’s going really well and we had record numbers of entries of beautiful chocolate dishes,” Wiseman said. “We have almost 40 entries and contributions from local businesses.”

Wiseman said the organization needed this year’s event to be better with the economy affecting funding and it was very heartening to see a lot of people at the event.

“We’re trying to come up with a fun way to raise money,” said Cynthia Folgate, community resource director at Safe Passage. “Let people have a good time without charging a lot.”

Some traveled miles to attend this year’s event.

“I think this is just wonderful and it’s such a good cause,” said Rolling Meadows resident Debbie Hill. “I would do it again.”

One student said he thought last year’s Evening of Chocolate event was better.

“They had a lot more peanut butter and cookie dough stuff last year,” said Peter Aiura, sophomore mechanical engineering major. “There was less variety this year.”

Safe Passage is putting together a cookbook of recipes from 2007 and 2008 Evening of Chocolate events.

Katie Tegrar, a volunteer and intern at Safe Passage, said the cookbook will be in stock in January.

“All are chocolate recipes that include or have some kind of chocolate in them and we’re trying to do this every year,” Tegrar said. “It’s going to have 150 recipes, donated from staff, family and friends and the winners from 2007 and 2008’s Evening of Chocolate.”

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