Fest mixes local food, NYC feel
22.05.12
The Southwest Coffee and Chocolate Fest is more than a sampling of the buzz-inducing goodies in the region; it’s about supporting the local producers, so people can get their fix for years to come.
Festival founders Dean Strober and Lena Armstrong-Strober moved to Albuquerque from Brooklyn a year and a half ago. Strober said they attended a wine festival in Bernalillo and had the idea for the coffee and chocolate festival. He said they wanted the festival to be as diverse as parties in New York City, instead of an event where people just walk around and sample chocolate and coffee.
“The best kind of party is where there’s always something different going on, and you can really explore what’s in this room, what’s in that room, oh my god there’s flamenco dancers, oh look, aerialist trapeze performers, over here we’ve got a blues band,” he said.
Strober primarily organized the event on his own, and during the last month, he said he’s been working 16 hours a day on five hours of sleep. Armstrong-Strober said Strober’s ambition and their mutual love for entertaining is what motivates them to put on the fest.
Source: UNM Daily Lobo