Finger-snap rhythmic sounds, aromas of dark chocolates, sweet cakes and roasted meats welcomed more than 800 guests in evening attire at the National Conference Center in Lansdowne on Feb. 17. The YMCA of Loudoun County hosted its silver anniversary gala at the spacious center again, an event that has substantially grown in attendance each year.

Thanks to a hard-working committee, the 25th annual Chocolates Galore & More! featured six well-known judges, more than 20 presenters, 150-plus auction items and music by the Katz Band. The competition based chocolate and food extravaganza sold out their reserved seating several weeks prior to the event date.

“The YMCA is such an important organization that’s played a huge role in my life,” said Mary Beth Albright, guest judge and Food Network Star Season 7 finalist. “There’s no more important mission than improving the nation’s health and maximizing children’s and teen’s potential.”

Albright deliberated with fellow judges Sue Ann Gleason of Chocolate for Breakfast, Steve Mannino, executive chef at Rustico Restaurant, Leigh McDonald of NiceShoesNoDrama.com, Hilary Phelps of Genuine Joy and Stephanie Holguin of Foodie-isms. This year’s Critics’ Choice awards were not easy decisions to make, with strong participants like Goodstone Inn (tender peanut-sauce encrusted chicken skewers), Vintage 50 (well-plated deconstructed cheesecake and mushroom soup shooters), Washington Dulles Marriott (lobster mac ‘n cheese) and white chocolate goat cheese cupcakes from Sweetz Bakery (one of last year’s Critics’ Choice winners).

“Having the opportunity to judge the “sweets” division of the competition was as fun as it was educational,” said Phelps. “Seeing these talented chefs and bakers was certainly inspiring to me.”

During the first hour of the event, judges and guests enjoyed Silvano Follador Prosecco, a bio-dynamic Italian sparkling wine from Loudoun based importer/distributor Il Pioppo.

Throughout the evening, guests had the chance to bid on unique items in the silent auction, including massages, catered dinners, winery tours and gift baskets. After voting in the People’s Choice awards, guests danced to smooth, jazzy tunes by the Katz Band while awaiting the results of the raffles and the final award announcements. Guests also had the chance to meet special guest Larry Michael of the Voice of Redskins Radio and the Host of Redskins Nation. At the end of the night, the Lansdowne Resort team, led by Executive Chef Wes Rosati, earned a clean sweep, bringing home four awards in both categories from the votes of the judges and the guests.

“I have attended many fundraisers, but this was, by far, one of the most beautifully orchestrated fundraising events I’ve seen in a very long time,” said Gleason. “The best part about judging this event was the company of my fellow judges. We had so much fun tasting and talking and sharing our mutual love of all things culinary.”

With the success of this year’s Chocolates Galore, gala Co-chair Meredith Lefforge said they raised a good amount of funds for the YMCA’s “Send A Kid to Camp” pledge drive this year.

Critics’ Choice Winners:

Best Tasting Dessert - Lansdowne Resort
Best Dessert Presentation - Market Salamander
Best Tasting hors d’oeuvre - Lansdowne Resort
Best hors d’oeuvre Presentation - Ayrshire Farm Catering

People’s Choice Winners:

Best Tasting Dessert - MC2 Confections
Best Dessert Presentation - Cupcakes & Moore
Best Tasting hors d’oeuvre - Lansdowne Resort
Best hors d’oeuvre Presentation - Lansdowne Resort

Rebekah Pizana is a professional pastry chef and food writer, she can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or follower her on Twitter at @iwritegourmet.