This coming February, the French Pastry School will be once again hosting a charity event at the historic South Shore Cultural Center that promises to heat up Chicago's lakefront with what we hope is THE Valentine's Day event of 2007: For The Love of Chocolate 2007. The 2007 event lets guests indulge for a great cause: to help Chicago students in the Careers through Culinary Arts Program, a national non-profit that prepares underserved public high school students for college and careers in the hospitality industry.

This year's event is larger and will involve even more chocolate than the more than one ton of candy and desserts on display last year. One part "naughty" and another part "nice," the 2007 event is all about indulging in chocolate while helping Chicago students, featuring chocolate clothing, dazzling desserts and even sizzling salsa dancing in the South Shore's ornate ballrooms. Highlights of
the 2007 event will include:

* A bridal-themed fashion show featuring intricate chocolate bridal dresses and accessories made by up-and-coming Chicago designers, partnering with local chefs;

* Chocolate body painting by artist to the stars Michael Bell. Bell has painted some of the most famous people of our time, including cast members from HBO's The Sopranos, CSI: Miami, and Law & Order.

* The kickoff of the Sixth Annual Chicago International Salsa Congress, with a special performance by some of the country's top salsa dancers along with demonstrations, instruction and a live band.

* The Cocoa Sutra room, an intimate space designed for that very special Valentine, with entertainers and chefs exploring the sensual side of chocolate;

* Beautiful, edible works of art throughout, including a chocolate wedding cake competition with dazzling cakes on display throughout the lobby;

* Appetizers and desserts from more than 70 of Chicagoís superstar chefs. Throughout the South Shore Cultural Centerís ballrooms, guests will enjoy a flavorful explosion of chocolate as they sample treats from Chicago restaurants of every kind, whether it be the perfect truffle, chocolate martini, petit four, mousse or cake.

More than 700 guests attended last year's event, raising more than $57,000 for Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago and a one-year- old girl's kidney transplant at the hospital.

For the most up-to-date information on the event, please log on to www.fortheloveofchocolate.org.