What do wizards, spell duels, live animals, cupcake cauldrons, and musical performances have in common? They were all highlights of the 1^st Annual Harry Potter Halloween Workshop hosted by LilChefs.com Special Events.

On Saturday, October 22^nd families from Manhattan, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties entered this very special world for a chance to walk in the shoes of a new Hogwarts student for two hours. They gathered at the Center for Science Teaching and Learning located in Rockville Centre, and were greeted by costumed-clad wizards. Chef Paula, who usually only wears a chef hat and chef jacket at her events, wore a one-of-a-kind decorative purple robe and wizard hat, designed by Mattel, for promoting their Harry Potter Casting Stones game. Then she transfigured back into chef attire when leading the kids in the Harry Potter snack portion of the program. Those long pointed sleeves don’t mix well while melting chocolate.

For the first session she was accompanied by two wizards from Five Towns College’s Dumbledore’s Army. For the second session there were half dozen wizards from C.W. Post’s Dumbledore’s Army. When the families arrived at the nature preserve they were given 30 minutes to walk though the Amazing Animals exhibit which showcased many of the animals featured in the Harry Potter series including owls, hawks, snakes, frogs, and toads. An impromptu animal trivia contest didn’t stump the kids one bit. They knew all the magical creatures, all the characters, and plot elements of Harry Potter.

Then upon returning to the Hogwarts Great Hall, the li’l wizards needed to utter a password before gaining admittance. Once inside they saw tables with the crests of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. There were candles suspended from the ceiling. A potions table (manned by a National Junior Honor Society student from Seaford Middle School) that displayed Dream Fluid (purple Gatorade), Magic Wands (pretzel rods), Blood Worms (red string licorice), Hollow Stump Soil (chocolate cookie crumbs), Gillyweed (green Gatorade with floating shredded coconut), Bernie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans (jelly beans), Blind Cat Eyes (mini marshmallows), along with candelabras, old books, grape clusters, etc. “Hedwig’s Song” and other soundtracks from the Harry Potter movies played in the background to add to the ambiance.

A beautiful mural designed and painted by the Dumbledore’s Army of C.W. Post hung proudly on the back wall depicting a castle high above the bluffs, an owl carrying a letter, an elder’s wand, the Harry Potter logo, and grassy knoll. Just in front of the mural was a sorting stool with the Hogwarts crest on it, and a brown sorting hat sitting on top. Each of the new wizards in training was given an opportunity to have the hat placed on their head and to be “sorted” into their respective houses/tables. The other guests cheered for all the kids as they received their assignments.

Once sorted, the li’l wizards got to work making some of the snacks featured in the Harry Potter books and movies. They started off with Magic Wands dipped in a choice of milk or white chocolate, then some Chocolate Covered Frogs (gummy frogs), Acid Pops (Blow Pops rolled in Pop Rocks to give that extra sizzle), and Cupcake Cauldrons (chocolate cupcake with a hollowed out middle, chocolate or vanilla pudding poured into the hole, gummy body parts sprinkled in, and a black licorice handle).

Refreshments were also elaborately laid out for all guests including Herbology Bites (French bread rounds with veggie cream cheese topped with cucumber slices), cheese and crudite platters, Rock Cakes (mini cinnamon buns), Moon Stone Cookies (mini chocolate chip muffins) and plenty of ingredients to make Butterbeer (cream soda, butterscotch topping, and whipped cream).

The last table of interest was the Transfiguration Booth. Thanks to both Dumbledore’s Army from Five Towns College & C.W. Post, the kids could dress up in Quidditch Goggles, check out a Marauder’s Map, play with wands, see a Time Turner up close, don Luna Lovegood’s Spectrespecs, try on Harry Potter’s scarf or tie, and then take a photo by the mural. Playing dress-up took on a whole new meaning—especially when some of the guests were 11-year-old boys.

Two of the most memorable moments for the families included a spell duel and musical performances from “A Very Potter Musical.” For the first session the li’l wizards were serenaded by a duet called, “Different As Can Be” and for the second session 7 Dumbledore Army students sang, “Goin’ Back to Hogwarts.” Both performances were just amazing!

Looking around the room, there was such joy on the faces of both the kids and the adults. They were truly transported into a magical world.  LilChefs.com was especially proud to sponsor two children from Ronald McDonald House of New Hyde Park as well as one child from Make A Wish Foundation of Lake Success. Having these three young boys be special guests of honor, and to provide them with a fun and memorable time in between medical treatments, meant so much.

No Harry Potter Halloween event would be complete without a costume contest. Four winners were chosen—one from each house. There was a Dumbledore with a long gray beard, a male Harry Potter with a light-up wand, a female Harry Potter with regimental tie, oxford shirt, and robe, and a female Dementor wearing a black cloak and hood. Their prizes for such great costumes were special wizard hats in blue, purple, or black with silver appliquéd stars.

All of the li’l wizards left the event with a special goody bag that contained a recipe book with all the Harry Potter recipes made that day, a personalized diploma, a pair of Harry Potter glasses, a witch’s broom pen with LilChefs.com printed on it, and a Halloween bookmark to use on their next amazing book that they read. Who knows, maybe there’s another book out there that will evoke some of the same interest as J.K. Rowling’s did.

We so enjoyed creating this event to share with all the families in attendance as well as all the students who gave of their time selflessly. It was so amazing to see the kids arriving in their Harry Potter costumes, to hear them answer intricate trivia questions about all the animals in the series while they did the self-guided animal tour, and to see the smiles and squeals of laughter in the dining hall when drinking potions, conjuring up treats, and transfiguring into wizards.

A Very Happy Halloween to Wizards and Muggles alike! We look forward to bringing you next year’s 2^nd Annual Harry Potter Halloween Workshop with LilChefs.com Special Events. Until then, check out the News and Events page on our website www.LilChefs.com to learn about upcoming seasonal events and award-winning children’s cooking birthday parties.