Dessert Fantasy

Being a dessertaholic, you know I was definitely down for a ball room full of desserts! I've been wanting to attend this event for a couple years now but could never convince anyone to go with me! This year, I found a GroupOn and finally was able to bring 3 of my girlfriends with me.Parking was easy to find and conveniently, there were people waiting at each parking level directing us to the right floor! They even pushed the elevator button for us! Upon arriving at the Grand Ballroom, check in was very organized. First, you pay $5 for your parking and then we stood in line to get checked in. There was a line specifically for those with GroupOns. Since we were early, we decided to check out the Silent Auction. There were all kinds of things for sale from gift cards, to wine sets, to paintings. It was all very organized.Now to the good part! Once the doors of the ball room opened, we were given a list of vendors and a packet of ballots. I liked the concept of not just tasting desserts but voting at each table. There were 9 tables altogether with around 5-6 vendors per table. My friend and I were able to vote at all 9 tables! My 2 other girlfriends tapped out at table 5! Sugar overload!There were so many delicious treats! My favorites were D&B's Banana Foster's Cheescake, Agnes' fresh Malasadas, Top of Waikiki's mascarpone cheesecake, and pretty much the whole table serving ice cream! I read the Yelp reviews prior to coming to this event and knew I needed to pace myself. I took a bite of each dessert and if I didn't like it, I tossed it. If I liked it I ate most of it. I also didn't want to waste too many plates and tried to keep my plate for 2-3 tables before tossing it.This year, they allowed High Schools to participate in the event! It was really great to see the beautiful and yummy creations the students made. My personal favorite was for Aiea High School. They made a lemon meringue tart! Overall, this is a great event to support Cerebral Palsy. David Lancaster emceed this event and was very informative and funny. There was a cut off time for voting for desserts and a cut off time for the Silent Auction. It was good to get a countdown so we could pace ourselves and ensure we got our votes in.I personally didn't stay until the end to hear who the winners of the event were but nonetheless, a fun event!

Every first Sunday in November, Pacific Beach Hotel's ballroom is filled with some of the best desserts Hawaii has to offer. And for only $25, you can sample them all and even get seconds and thirds if you desire. It's all a part of United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaii's annual Dessert Fantasy fundraiser, and it gets better and better every year. The event typically has over 50 restaurants and vendors who generously donate their desserts to this wonderful event. A short list of participating businesses this year included: Kakaako Kitchen, Cake Connection, Pearl City HS Culinary Arts Program, Uber Factory, Kakaako Kitchen, Nisshodo Candy Store, Dave and Buster's, Hilton Hawaiian Village, and Chocolate on a Mission, Haleiwa Joe's, Chocolate and Vanilla Bakery, The Pig & the Lady, Gros Bonnet Culinary Academy/Hale Koa Hotel, Regal Bakery, Hokulani Bake Shop, and Bubbie's. In addition to the dessert sampling, there was also a silent auction (much mahalos to Dave F. for donating his beautiful photographs to the auction), face painting, a balloon man, and live entertainment. And if you don't get to try all of the desserts, or had a few favorites that you couldn't get enough of, when the event is over, you can purchase a take out container and stuff as many remaining desserts in it as you can fit. If you've got a big sweet tooth, mark your calendars for next year's event which will be on Sunday, November 6, 2016 at Pacific Beach Hotel ballroom.

If you're a dessert addict like me you're going to thank me for letting you know about this yearly fundraiser event. Not only do you get 2 HOURS of unlimited sampling of the most delectable desserts in Hawaii, but you're helping a charitable cause at the same time. To Sum It Up:Who: The United Cerebral Palsy Association of HawaiiWhat: * Over 60 different restaurants, bakeries, ice cream parlors, chocolate confectioners, and candy shops offer an array of their best desserts to satisfy any sweet tooth.* Live Entertainment* Silent Auction* Voting-People's Favorite Dessert* Door Prizes Cost: $25Where: I'm unsure if it always happens at Pacific Beach Hotel every year , 2490 Kalakaua Ave. Honolulu, HI 96815When: This year it happened on November 6(I know NOVEMBER ....your currently mad at me, with your fists held high, yelling out profanities, with a tear in your eye , wanting to recite that notorious poem, "Remember, Remember the 6th of November!" -V for Vendetta. It was the 1st time I attended this event so give me some slack. Well at least you got a heads up right!?)This event has been happening almost as long as I've been alive and I've never heard about it! Until awesome fellow Yelper Thomos O. posted it on the Yelp events page. Big thanks to you Thomos O. Tips: PACE YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!! I attended this marvelous event with my friend and we went buck wild on the first table. Everything started to taste the same. Luckily, Cake Works was at the 1st table and I got to eat those heavenly chocolate dipped caramel French macaroons.* They offer complimentary water, tea, and coffee, but no milk (well they offer it for the coffee). As for me Milk makes desserts 10 times better. * Look at the paper that they hand out to you in the front this shows you what businesses are there.* Do a quick walk of the place so you know what you want to eat and grab what you want to eat.* Some of the tables had the bakers or owners handing out the dessert, so it was great asking them what I was eating and how it was made. But most of the tables had volunteers who only knew the name of what they were serving. * Don't worry of getting judged because you're surrounded with dessert addicts just like yourself. * TAKE HOME BOX at the end of the event. It only cost a mere $5. Come on now, what a deal, one of those desserts offered at the event cost more. I know my review doesn't do this event a bit of justice so here are other links about this event. A clip from KHON about the event: http://www.khon2.com/content/news/morning/story/Dessert-fantasy-at-Pacific-Beach-Sunday-Nov-6/qntYv3GUM0q6tGNx8nQfeA.cspxEvent Photos-Pictures captured by Ed Morita from Non Stop Honolulu: http://www.nonstophonolulu.com/eating/party-pics-dessert-fantasy-2011/Pictures from island views website: http://www.myislandviews.com/2011/11/on-november-6-2011-ucpa-held-its-annual.htmlSome (hence the word some, there were so many ono'licious lick your finger desserts to choose from) of Kim's Favorites:1) Cake Works-Chocolate Dipped Caramel French Macron2) Cookie Corner- Lilikoi Bar 3) Hokulani Bake Shop- Mini Assortment of Cupcakes4) Hawaiian Host-Macadamia Chocolate Covered Nuts (I know their easily attainable but I love um)5) Nisshodo-Mochi 6) Agne's Portuguese Bake Shop-Freshly made on site Malassadas7) Choco le'a-Assortment of divine chocolates, truffles, and alcohol infused chocolates8) The Alley at Aiea Bowl- Lemon Crunch Cake9) Regal Bakery- Cake Doughnuts10) Lappert's Hawaii- Yes, they were giving out ice cream at this event! Oh, Yes. 11) Cake Envy -Be careful you may turn green with ENVY on how delicious this is. Remember to write it on your calender, Do some sit ups before the event, tell a couple of your friends, tell it to "Siri" on your iPhone 4s so she remind you days before, Siri can pull it out the location on your GPS, and give you more information about the event. If you've got a sweet tooth like me this event you surely can't miss.

When you hear the words Dessert Fantasy...what do you think of?For me...I picture myself being at the bottom of a swimming pool of delicious desserts and having to eat my way out....with two hollow legs and an empty stomach....Well this event wasn't exactly like this, but it's close!My family took me here for the first time and I enjoyed every minute of it.....also it was to benefit Cerebral Palsy which is awesome as well...a two'fer!The seating was limited, but people are pretty much grazing here the whole time anyway so it wasn't a big deal. Large tables are set up throughout the ballroom with several booths set up at each. They have their desserts all nicely laid out and you walk up and enjoy! This is an all you can eat event...so it is very fun to try everything.A pretty sizeable silent auction (with a lot of sweets on it) was towards the back of the ballroom. A lot of people were eyeing those treats.The little ones wanted balloon animals and there was also a face painting booth. The line was really long, but there was a really good magician that made the line bearable.An energetic dj made annoucements during the event and he encouraged people to fill out raffle tickets and flyers (provided) on your pick for favorite dessert.There was a lot to choose from but here were some of my favorites....Lappert's Hawaii They had probably the most labor intensive 'in house' dish. It was a roasted apple creme fraiche tart (and you got two of them) that was assembled in front of you. Once scooped out, it had to be caramel sauced and salted with lava salt. It took a little time to get this dessert, but it was good and not too sweet. Definitely an elevated dessert, but I think that's why I liked it. Agnus' Portuguese Bake Shop The brought a fryer and made warm Malasadas....yes this was my family's favorite. Take a room full of locals, feed them sugar coated malasadas.....and it's pretty much over...Ted's Bakery I had way too many of these....probably my favorite dessert. It was a mini chocolate almond macadamia nut tart. It reminded me of a really good bite sized pecan pie. Good crust on the outside, great filling inside.Haleiwa Joe's at Haiku They made this coconut mouse in a chocolate tartlet that was very complicated and delicious. It had many components and the flavors went well together. The volunteer working the booth didn't know what was in it, but I enjoyed going back again and again trying to figure out the ingredients.Top of Waikiki Their peanut butter pumpkin crunch was a nice surprise. The flavors went surprisingly well together....nice use of fall ingredients.This event was a very good value at $25-$30. I would encourage people who like dessert to try this out. It was fun, for a good cause, and definitely full of sweets!

Dessert Fantasy is a fitting name for this event. Or, you could also call it Sweet Tooth Heaven, if you wanted to change the name. This is only the second time in a row I have attended this event. There is nothing but samplings of sweet desserts. This year, they seem to have changed the layout a bit so that there was more room to mosey around and to fit more vendors/tables. They moved the silent auction table to the outside hallway. That was a great idea, you can look at the items outside without all the hustle and bustle inside.They were awesome about providing water and coffee. Definitely had to make a few water stops to cleanse the palate.Dessert Fantasy was located at Pacific Beach Hotel. You can park in the hotel. I learned this year that paid validation was good for 8 hours. That meant, after stuffing our faces with sugary sweets from 1pm to 3pm, we could walk it off around Waikiki!This was a great way to sample all kinds of desserts, some that we already knew about and more that we got to try for the first time. And if you really liked something enough, you could go for seconds, or thirds......or.....more.....There were cupcakes, cookies, ice cream, malasadas (from Agnes, which I intend to visit for more in the near future - they were frying up the malasadas right there. So fresh!), tarts, Uber!, macarons, pies, fancy creations that I wouldn't be able to describe - just look at the Yelp photos! There was nothing that I felt was lacking and I felt fully - my tummy, rather, and my sweet tooth - were fully satisfied! Looking forward to next year's event!

Someone was too busy inhaling desserts to take pictures of what she was eating ;) Sorry. Dessert Fantasy, what do you expect? Why waste time taking pictures when you can get in the mix and eat, eat, eat! Besides the fact that this is an all-you-can-eat dessert event, the best thing about this event is that it is for a worthwhile cause. Proceeds benefits the Cerebral Palsy. I have been to the past several and each time I really enjoy myself. There are events within this event, such as the High School Culinary Competition, and a silent auction. It's great to see high school students that have a passion for baking/cooking, and wanting to share their talents for a greater cause. Also with the silent auction, there are so many great prizes being auctioned off, such as buffet tickets, hotel stays, date nights, and even doggy fun baskets! All around a great experience! Hope this keeps going for years! :)

What a great way to support a good cause (UCP) and satisfy your sweet tooth! I have been eyeing this event for a couple years and finally made it out. Walking in the doors, you are immediately overwhelmed with the amount of desserts. 10 tables with 4-6 samples on each table...that really adds up.You really need a strategy going in....take a bite of each and if you really love it, eat the whole sample, if not, toss it. I know it seems like a waste but if you don't stick to your one bite rule, your stomach will be complaining and you will not get to try everything. Also, start with the ice cream desserts. Even being on ice, they melt quickly and if you wait till the end to try the ice cream, you may be sampling soup. They also ran out of the bubbies pumpkin mochi and that was the best dessert!I like that they have other things to do if you need a break from sampling. There was a silent auction, voting for the best desserts, vinegar challenge, And face painting fun for the kids. Highlights from 2014: macarons from cakeworks and somewhere else, I can't remember. Pumpkin mochi ice cream. Sacher torte, and laperts ice cream dessert.Unfortunately: I was very surprised at the dessert quality. Many of the desserts were barely passable and I had no problem tossing them. In a room full of dessert expertise, I was expecting better flavor and more delicious options then there actually were. That is the reason for the three stars. The event was five stars but the dessert quality brought the stars down.

I've been to this event for about 5 years now and it's the best. Not all the desserts will be to your liking, but you'll find something you like, so get there early/on-time and see all the booths. I usually skip lunch, pig out at this event, then skip dinner.SUGGESTION: bring a water bottle. It's useful to fill up and keep with you, as opposed to going for small cups of water at the drinks table. Casual event so you don't really have to dress up either.I also like the auction. I try to bid on something to win the bid just to support the UCPAH's cause, even if it's not something I can really use.Check out this event. I think you'll be pleased you did.

This is the loooongest line I've EVER seen for this event!! Yep. Out of the reception area, down the hallway, along the back wall... Long, but impressive. Each year that I've had the honor of attending this great event, I've noticed a steady increase in the number of folks who are coming out to support UCP! United Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy is a disorder that impairs a child's control of movement and is very debilitating. Throughout the years I have donated to a number of charities and organizations that I considered to be in need. But I was drawn to this organization by my two BFF's, Nat N. and John N. who give freely of their time and efforts to this cause, even with two young twin sons in tow! Not only is it so sad to witness a child living with this cruel disease, it is equally heartbreaking to see an adult who has it. I have no problem whatsoever supporting this worthy cause and the events they have throughout the year. Not only do they have the Dessert Fantasy, they also have the Rubber Ducky Race down the Ala Wai Canal and a tennis tournament too where you can sponsor a court! Fun events to donate to! Now that I've gotten the word out about UCP, I can talk about the Dessert Fantasy.... Imagine dying and going to dessert heaven!! Haha, literally tables and tables of sweets and more sweets!! Various restaurants, snack shops, hotels, etc. donate their finest confections for all to sample. There are candies, pies, cakes, ice cream, chocolates, you name it! Hot malasadas too, fresh from the fryer!! Another one of the reasons I love going to this event too, is the silent auction. Along one wall in the Grand Ballroom of the Pacific Beach Hotel where the event is held, is several rows of items and services donated by various businesses and individuals for auction. Each item has a sign up sheet with a starting bid on it. You bid against others who may also want an item that catches your eye, only to be outbid by them! It's a lot of fun to check back every fifteen minutes or so to see if you were indeed outbid! Haha, it's up to you if you want to pursue an item. I've actually seen people literally stand nearby to "watch" their item!! That's the fun of it. I think my friend, Renee S. was pretty successful with her bidding this time! Congrats to you, Renee! Yes, all in fun for a great cause! Let's all join together to help find a cure or at least an advancement in research to slow this debilitating disease. I'm already looking forward to next year's event!

This is my first time attend the Dessert Fantasy & Silent Auction and I have to say I was very impressed! If you love your sweets than this is one event you can't miss. The ticket price is $25 if you pre-order and $30 at the door; all in benefit to UCPA. They have a wide variety of desserts for you to sample on different tables. Votes are collected for the desserts you've enjoyed the most per table and are announced with the consideration from a panel of judges. There's live entertainment and with fun activities for the kids like face painting and also balloon artists. Then there's the silent action that you can't miss ranging from hotel gift certificates to gourmet chocolate tours. Overall, I highly recommend this event and will come again next year.Highlights:- Family-friendly event- Large variety of desserts for you to sample from all at one place. If you really like something you can always go back for more!- Good selection of silent auction itemsTips:- If you're parking, come here early! It gets packed very fast- Don't forget to get a cup of water before you start going around the tables. You'll get thirsty as you make your way through- If you are going with a friend, share the samples with them! If not, pick the smallest piece so you can see whether or not you like it. You really need to pace yourself so you don't get full too quickly