By Jessica Dillon
The Virginia Museum of Natural History hosted a “Natural History of Chocolate” program on Oct. 4, a paid event that combined a multi-course meal with insights into the science and culture of chocolate.
About 40 guests attended the dinner, prepared by King’s Grant managing chef Janey Ashby. Museum director Joe Keiper described the five-course menu, which included Mexican chocolate soup, cheese and fruit with chocolate dip, salad with chocolate dressing, a choice of lamb or chicken lollipops crusted with coffee and cocoa, and a black forest gateau.
“I’ve never in my life ever thought that cheese and chocolate would go well together, but boy, it really did,” Keiper said. He noted that an imported cheese from Great Britain paired especially well with the chocolate. Guests also enjoyed hand-selected wine pairings.
Dr. Jackson Means, who previously worked at a winery, guided participants through chocolate tastings, explaining proper techniques for smelling, listening to the crispness, and tasting chocolate to fully appreciate its subtleties.
“The process of making chocolate from cocoa beans is much more involved than I ever knew, so from a cultural standpoint, that was pretty cool,” Keiper said.
Attendees expressed interest in similar events in the future, possibly exploring the natural history of other foods, such as wine or cherries, combined with multi-course meals and science education.
The museum is now preparing for its next Bonez and Booz — along with its ongoing special exhibit, “The Age of Dinosaurs,” on Oct. 25. New exhibits, including Joro spider specimens, aim to combine wonder with a touch of creepiness.
Zach Rider, helping organize the event, said, “We just want everybody to know that we’re looking forward to an extremely fun, festive environment. We definitely encourage folks to dress up in costume.”
The event will feature scavenger hunts inside the museum, balloon art, face painting, fire dancers, stilt walkers, food trucks, and a beer garden for adults. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 6–17, and free for EBT cardholders.
