"A true chocolate seminar will teach you how to smell chocolate, how to listen to chocolate. There's a snap to a good chocolate that is clean, crisp music," she said.

"There is an aroma. There is a flavour. When you put chocolate in your mouth, you should close your eyes. You should think about the senses and the soul and let it just melt."

And the benefits extend beyond basic indulgence.

"Chocolate is more than a sweet treat. Chocolate is actually healthy in moderation," Donahue said.

"Dark chocolate has all sorts of health and wellness components with antioxidants. It helps with depression -- in moderation, like anything."

Chocolate enthusiasts can quench their cravings at the month-long festival, which starts today across the Lower Mainland.

The annual event began in 2002 as a homegrown initiative to bolster tourism to the Tri-Cities while raising money for youth arts. Festival organizers later expanded their intention to help young people jump-start their careers.

"It's a not-for-profit society. Our mandate is to empower youth and create events that can give them some mentored work experience. So as more youth wanted to get involved and learn more, we started creating more experiences in their communities as well," Donahue said.

"We're a green festival. We all work virtually. We're all volunteers and we do this for our youth. That's how it's expanding. We're from Vancouver to Harrison Mills, from the Tri-Cities to White Rock this year."

The vision seems to be working. For the past few festivals, more than 50 mentors and 500 volunteers have organized and operated chocolate-themed festivities. Through a four-tiered system, business professionals mentor interns, who then teach senior volunteers to train junior volunteers.

"We actually start with Grade 11 leadership classes and work our way up to senior business people in British Columbia," Donahue said.

"Our vision is that we create a business model that can be implemented all across British Columbia and further, if people choose to do it. It will be a turn-key model based on volunteers and mentors creating chocolate-themed events so our youth get some work experience for their careers."

This year, the West Coast Chocolate Festival offers more than 160 events between Oct. 15 and Nov. 10, ranging from chocolate high teas to chocolate yoga.

Mackin House, the festival headquarters, features different tasting seminars each afternoon that pair fine chocolates with craft beer, wine, coffee and tea.

"Only 20 to 25 people can fit in Mackin House. We really wanted to gear it towards some seniors that might want to get out in the afternoon or a corporate outing for a little early Christmas bonus. Take your staff out for an outing that doesn't involve drinking and driving," Donahue said.

"There are very responsible alcohol pairings. There's only a couple of ounce samples each with tea, coffee, dessert and food."

Other Tri-Cities offerings include the Great Gatsby martini and chocolate evening, a chocolate coffeehouse and a chocolate dessert and wine challenge.

Despite all the delicious details, Donahue remains focused on the practical purpose.

"The festival really isn't about chocolate. It's about our youth. It's about supporting the arts and it's about mentored work experiences. But my goodness -- it's chocolate," she said, laughing.

"So we really have combined the food of the gods with creating a great society."

For more information and a full listing of festival events, visit www.chocolatefestival.ca.