At some house sale or another, my mom managed to find a videotape that would come to occupy many of our Sundays and save her sanity because it kept us fully engaged. It was called “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. My dad loved to watch sports any day of the week but on Sunday. While he relaxed, my sister and I would find whatever VHS tape we could and pop it in the VCR. On those days, when Willy Wonka was sarcastic, the Oompa Loompa’s were singing about virtues, and magic was coming alive on screen, my dad would emerge from his sports cocoon and enjoy the movie with us.
This year, Chosen turned one, we honored ten years of my dad’s passing, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory turned 50! Chosen and the Chocolate Factory: The Chosen ONEka made the perfect theme to honor so many milestones all happening simultaneously. I told Cairo’s good Godmother and my decorating lovebug Shandia that I wanted to recreate the classic Chocolate Factory Scene when Mr. Wonka first opened the doors to the room with the chocolate river.
Utopia Gardens in Adelaide was the perfect location. There was no chocolate river, but the marshlands and lake surrounding it came close. The space was also spread out enough to feel comfortable with our small numbers gathering there in the middle of the pandemic. As a family, we’ve been committed to following the COVID protocols no matter how frequently they change. On the weekend of Chosen’s birthday, there were 5 cases in the whole country. Almost all of us were fully vaccinated, and those who weren’t had taken a covid test.
To support all the details Shandia and her team laid out; I had my friend Crystal from A Sweet Experience use the caricature I had designed of Chosen to create custom cupcake toppers, party boxes, and party hats. We used that image on custom cookies from Goldensmiths and the custom cotton candy by Puffee.
Since Cairo’s first birthday, the Balloon People have been my go-to for balloon décor, and they didn’t disappoint with our custom balloon wall.
The birthday boy had to be dressed to fit the theme, and there is one person I turn to for all things kids’ clothing, Danielle Anusiem from Kalico Bay. Danielle created Chosen’s custom look playing on Wonka’s hat and classic bowtie and even incorporated floral details from Wonka’s shirt. She added little candy pieces to Chosen’s suspenders to top the look off, making him look even sweeter than usual!
Food was covered by Chosen’s good Goddie, D’asante, who happens to be the owner of The Busch Cook. She totally understood the assignment. The menu included:
OOMPA-LOOMPA SLIDERS
Beef
Chicken
Fish
SNOZZBERRY SALAD
Mixed Greens with Strawberry & Blueberry with Feta Cheese Crumble served with Mango Poppy Seed Dressing
WHANGDOODLES NOODLES
Spinach and tomato bowtie pasta
SCRUMDIDDLYUMPTIOUS CHOSEN ASSORTED WINGS
– Fried
– Guava BBQ
– Honey Garlic
When I tell you all this is the best party food I’ve ever had, believe me!
The cake was covered by my go-to baker Charlicia of Tamdelore Cakes, who gave us a chocolate factory cake worthy of the Food Network. Chosen’s Godmother Volanda, the owner of The Boutique Cake, delivered on the scrumdipliumptious cupcakes.
Sprinkle in Chosen’s god siblings and three of his cousins, and you have yourselves a party! Our guests walked away with more than a fun experience and great food. They also got Chosen’s custom party boxes which included a Chosen Oneka Bar in honor of Augustus Gloop, Blowing Bubbles in honor of Violet Beauregarde (actual gum was out because toddlers and gum are a no go); mini plastic eggs with stuffed animals inside for the rotten egg that was Veruca Salt, and sunglasses in honor of the TV goggles used to miniaturize Mike Teavee.
Let’s talk! Have you ever seen Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? What was your favorite part? Did we execute this theme well? Let me know in the comments!
Experience Chosen’s first birthday with us by watching this video put together by Three Amigos Media.
