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GODIVA Welcomes Friends and Celebrities to its "More than just Chocolate" Christmas Affair
GODIVA Chocolatier rings in the Festive cheer with GODIVA’s 2015 Winter Wonderland, “It’s More Than Just Chocolate” Christmas event that took place on Monday, October 19, 2015 at the Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong.
On the evening, the Diamond Ballroom was transformed into a lush Christmas garden, with Christmas trees surrounding the venue, green grass spread amongst the garden and chocolate statues were proudly on display. The invitation-only event was attended by friends of GODIVA. Our guests of honour included Belgium consulate, Ms. Michéle Deneffe and beloved actress, Ms. Karena Lam. They were welcomed by GODIVA’s Managing Director, Pacific Rim, Mr. John Holmberg, GODIVA’s Managing Director, Pacific Rim & China, Mr. Andy Farrow, GODIVA’s Executive Chef, Pacific Rim & China, Mr. Philippe Daue and GODIVA’s Marketing and Merchandising Director, Pacific Rim & China, Ms. Carmen Chiu.
The event kicked off promptly at 7, where our Masters of Ceremony, Ms. Rabeea Yeung welcomed the guests. Mr. Holmberg started off by thanking everyone for coming, Chef Philippe finished off by wishing them a joyous journey on finding out what chocolates meant to each individual. Afterwards, Rabeea had a quick chat with the ever-so-sweet, Karena Lam. Her captivating personality attracted the audience, as she went on about her favorite Christmas chocolate, which was the Winter Raspberry Dark chocolate, which is from the limited edition Christmas collection. The event officially started with a spectacular and meaningful lighting ceremony. To kick off the ceremony, the above guests each held a Christmas tree light in hand, each representing the different elements of the evening, love, caring, sharing, kindness, art and childhood memories. The GODIVA gift box was lit up, we well as the rest of the ballroom, as soon as the guests placed their trees on the box.
“It’s More Than Just Chocolate” was the theme for this year’s GODIVA Winter Wonderland. Conjuring the emotional side of chocolates, the theme this year was to beg the audience to search for what chocolates meant to them. Giving, receiving, they are both emotionally rewarding. When someone thinks about chocolates, what are the first things that come to mind? Perhaps someone they care about, someone they want to share chocolates with, or perhaps a memory?
Upon commencement of the special occasion, guests were welcomed to visit the different stations at the Ritz Carlton ballroom that depicted the various elements of what chocolate means. The stations included a Caring Station, this is where guests tailor-made hot cocoa tubes for someone they cared about; the Art booth is where a live illustrator drew beautiful portraits of guests, filled with chocolate and Christmas elements; the Childhood Memories Station is an area where guests were overwhelmed the sweet memories where their mother made them their favourite treats as a child, GODIVA recreated this by positioning Chocolate ambassador, Wong Yim Yin to make treats for guests. Guests had fun posing for the Instabooth printout photos, they were able to be creative and show what chocolate meant to them through a photo. One of the highlights of the event was the Sharing Station where guests were invited to write a Christmas blessing and encouragement on a Christmas ornament. These blessings were packaged with chocolates and were sent to underprivileged children. The final element of the night was the Act of Kindness. As guests left with their chocolate-filled goodie bags, there was an individually packaged chocolate, they were asked to give this to someone who needed it, spreading the message of Christmas throughout the city.
Christmas canapés and winter warming hot cocoa was circulated, as 300 people celebrated Christmas and merrily became a part of the “It’s More than Just chocolates” event.
The occasion was attended by special guests including Jocelyn Luko, Anthony Sandstrom, Suki Chui, Janet Ma and her daughter Kayla Wong, Jacky Cai, Evelyn Choi, Adrian Wong, Jessica Jan, Michelle Loo, James Hong, Gigi Ng, Kearen Pang, Wing South, Annie G. Chan, Carlos Koo, Amanda Lui, Antonia Li, and Edfeel Heung.
“It was lovely to see so many smiling faces this evening. Christmas is a time for friends and family to share gifts as well as spend time together. It was wonderful to see our guests do just that, and spend a pleasant evening enjoying the holiday spirit. GODIVA believes that everyone is always on the search for someone to love, and everyone deserves to be loved. GODIVA is more than just about giving chocolates, we want to share the love with the people around us,” John Holmberg, Managing Director, Pacific Rim has expressed.
