Huge Chocolate Bean Sculpture Goes on Exhibit
In its only public showing, the enormous chocolate replica of Chicago’s famous sculpture fondly known as “the bean” is now on exhibit at Jelly Belly Visitor Center in Pleasant Prairie, Wis., located halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee, Wis.
The confectionery wonder makes a limited appearance now through May 1 on the company’s public tours, a “must-see” destination for Easter week and spring travel.
The 10-foot long by 7-foot wide replica of Chicago’s famous “Cloud Gate” elliptical sculpture (called “the bean” by locals for its resemblance to the food) was designed under the guidance of the professional chefs from The French Pastry School at Kennedy-King College of City Colleges of Chicago, and is covered with 120,000 Jelly Bean Chocolate Dips and Jelly Belly jelly beans donated by Jelly Belly Candy Company.
Jelly Belly Jelly Bean Chocolate Dips, the company’s new, dark-chocolate-covered jelly beans, made a tasty medium for the school’s chocolate-themed fundraising event in February.
High school students from Chicago’s After School Matters’ Culinary Arts Program and the team of pastry professionals put in 400 hours to complete the candy sculpture.
Each jelly bean was placed by hand using melted chocolate. Colorful Jelly Belly beans recreate Chicago’s skyline as seen on the original sculpture in Millennium Park.
For those who can’t make the trip to view the chocolate sculpture, The Food Channel filmed the entire process from concept to creation and will release a documentary of the making of the candy sculpture.
More information and preview videos showing the enormous task of planning and development of the project are currently available on foodchannel.com.
The Jelly Belly Visitor Center in Pleasant Prairie is located at 10100 Jelly Belly Lane. The facility hosts 200,000 visitors annually. Free tours are offered daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Photo courtesy: Jelly Belly Candy Company
