This year's 13th annual Chocolate Show, "the world's largest event dedicated to chocolate!" opened last night at the Metropolitan Pavilion on 18th Street. The raging chocoholism kicked off with a fashion show featuring 14 different designers working with chocolate. The theme (besides chocolate) was saving the oceans, so the designs alluded to waves, seashells, foam, and the sun. One model's ensemble was freighted with 20 pounds of bonbons, which, according to the emcee, were "held together by string, just like our fragile ecosystem."

The four day chocolate expo features chocolatiers and pastry chefs from around the world, appearances by chefs, book signings, live cooking demonstrations in two culinary theaters and "a Kids’ Zone where young chocolate lovers will have the chance to explore the wonderful world of chocolate while learning about the health benefits naturally found in chocolate." It's all part of a balanced diet! $28 gets you in and nine hours of access to free chocolate samples. The models' edible chocolate ensembles are also on display, and if you're stealthy you can probably break off a piece.

Here's the full schedule of events:

Thursday, November 11, 2010: The candy princess herself, Dylan Lauren of NYC’s Dylan’s Candy Bar, will make her Chocolate Show debut this year as she promotes her new book, Unwrap Your Sweet Life, with a book signing at the Barnes & Noble Booksellers booth at 1pm. Just before, at noon, Dylan will kick off the culinary demonstrations in the Dacor Culinary Kitchen Theater I. Additionally, at 4pm, Food Landscapes author and photographer Carl Warner will demonstrate how he makes scenic displays completely out of food and especially chocolate, including the 6-foot train display featured at the Chocolate Show. NYC’s famed Dessert Truck owners Jerome Chang and Vincent Jaoura will also be on hand at 5pm to demonstrate the perfect chocolate chip cookie, and speaking of cookies, Momofuku Milk Bar’s Christina Tosi will also be on site for a 12:30pm demonstration in the Dacor Culinary Kitchen Theater II. A highlight of this year’s Chocolate Show is sure to be “Chocolate Deconstructed” by the National Confectioners Association, also in Theater II, at 2:30pm

Friday, November 12, 2010: Food Network takes center stage at the Chocolate Show this year as Anne Thornton, host of the new series “Dessert First,” demonstrates to the Theater I crowd at 4pm. Chocolate veterans Jacques Torres (3pm), Jansen Chan of Oceana (5pm) and Martin Howard (6pm), otherwise known as “Chocolatina,” will all be on hand to show off their chocolate skills. And Del Posto’s Brooks Headley (5:30pm, Theater II) will prove that chocolate and eggplant can coexist with his Eggplant Chocolate Crostata.

Saturday, November 13, 2010: Chocolate Show alums Nick Malgieri (12pm), of the Institute for Culinary Education and François Payard (2pm) return for more demos, while the Peanut Butter & Co. (1pm) crew will illustrate why peanut butter and chocolate are such good friends. Meanwhile, Christophe Mazeaud (10:30am) of Barry Callebaut will whip up some Mexican Hot Chocolate while Billy’s Bakery (1:30pm) will prepare chocolate cupcakes, both in Theater II.

Sunday, November 14, 2010: The stars of Bravo’s “Top Chef: Just Desserts,” will be hosting and presenting on the last day of the Chocolate Show (but luckily no judging this time around). Zac Young (2pm), a top contender this season and pastry chef at Flex Mussels in NYC will demonstrate Chocolate Cream Pie “on its side.” Jean-Georges’ Executive Pastry Chef and lead judge on “Top Chef: Just Desserts,” Johnny Iuzzini (3pm), will be demonstrating how to make four-star desserts at home. Rounding out the Bravo bunch, lifestyle contributor and judge Danielle Kyrillos will emcee the afternoon’s activities.