If you know anything about Youngstown traditions, you know we don’t do parties halfway. Whether it’s a wedding, a christening, or a graduation, we celebrate with heart - and with sweets. Lots of them.
One tradition that’s always had a special place in my heart is the chocolate table. And in the past two years my two nieces have graduated high school and you can bet I’m the first one to suggest the chocolate table - for one obvious reason and also because I love chocolate!
What’s a Chocolate Table?
For those who may not be familiar, the chocolate table is our Youngstown version of a dessert buffet - but way more personal, and a whole lot more decadent. It’s a stunning spread of handcrafted chocolates, truffles, clusters, dipped pretzels, chocolate-covered fruits, and nostalgic candies, arranged beautifully, often alongside family photos, florals, and keepsakes. It’s not just dessert - it’s a centerpiece.
Growing up, I remember being wide-eyed at family events, staring at the chocolate tables my family would put together. They weren’t just filled with sweets, they were filled with love. Every piece felt intentional, every color coordinated, every treat chosen for a reason.
Why I Do It for My Family
Family is everything to me and my nieces and nephews are like my children, and honestly, I love it. Being Uncle Nino is the best. There’s something deeply meaningful about creating a chocolate table for someone you love. For my nieces’ graduation parties, I went all in: Gorant chocolates in their school colors, custom molds with their photos printed on the chocolate, chocolate-covered Oreos in school colors - you name it. I do it.
It’s a small way of showing them how proud I am of them. It’s also a nod to our heritage, to the way our community celebrates life’s milestones, with food, with flair, and always, with chocolate.
A Tradition Worth Keeping
At Gorant Chocolates, we see chocolate tables go out for all kinds of events -graduations, weddings, retirements, and birthdays. But graduation season? That’s when it really shines in my heart. It marks an ending and a beginning, and there’s no sweeter way to honor that moment than with a table full of memories, and a few hundred pieces of chocolate.
So if you’re planning a party, think about adding a chocolate table. It doesn’t have to be fancy (though it can be). It just has to be heartfelt. And trust me, people will remember it.
See you at the next chocolate table,
Nino Rubino
Co-owner, Gorant Chocolates