Chocolate Fantasia chocolatiers crave annual challenge

Silver City businesses prepare unique chocolate offerings for popular community event

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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The annual Chocolate Fantasia event in Silver City, New Mexico will feature chocolate desserts created by a range of volunteer chocolatiers, including Ashley Cooper of Breadbox Bakery and Laura Aubry of June June's. The two local business owners have participated in the event for years, using it as an opportunity to try new chocolate creations and connect with the community. This year's three-day event will move away from past themes, focusing instead on showcasing the talents of the participating chocolatiers.

Why it matters

Chocolate Fantasia has become a beloved community event in Silver City, drawing visitors from across the region and highlighting the town's thriving small business scene. The event provides a platform for local chocolatiers and bakers to showcase their skills and creativity, while also driving foot traffic to downtown shops and restaurants.

The details

Cooper and Aubry have both been participating in Chocolate Fantasia for over a decade, using the event to experiment with new chocolate desserts and connect with customers. Cooper plans to make a gluten-free tart/brownie and a chocolate bark, while Aubry will serve double chocolate cherry mini-scoops from her ice cream truck and raspberry citrus chocolate medallions. The event organizers have decided to move away from themed years to alleviate pressure on businesses, and there will be no judging this year, only ranked-choice voting for best chocolate.

  • Chocolate Fantasia will run for three days this year, starting February 13 and ending February 15.
  • The traditional ticketed chocolate walk will happen on Saturday, February 14.

The players

Ashley Cooper

Owner of Breadbox Bakery, a local business that has been participating in Chocolate Fantasia for the past five years.

Laura Aubry

Owner of June June's, a local ice cream shop that has been participating in Chocolate Fantasia since 2019.

Simon Sotello

The event coordinator for Chocolate Fantasia.

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What they’re saying

“I go back and forth with what I want to make for me. I try to do something new every year — you never know what might be so fun that it could just become a regular item to sell.”

— Ashley Cooper, Owner, Breadbox Bakery (scdailypress.com)

“I'm excited this year to incorporate ice cream into it. I use [the event] as, like, an opportunity to try something different.”

— Laura Aubry, Owner, June June's (scdailypress.com)

“I think it's great that it's, like, yeah, make a whole weekend of it. And then maybe they can circle back to some of the businesses they saw during Saturday's event.”

— Laura Aubry, Owner, June June's (scdailypress.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Chocolate Fantasia has become a beloved community event in Silver City, providing a platform for local chocolatiers and bakers to showcase their skills and creativity while also driving foot traffic to downtown shops and restaurants. The event's move away from themed years and the focus on community involvement and experimentation highlight the enduring appeal of this annual celebration of all things chocolate.