Chocolate fiends descend on Rotorua's inaugural Melt Festival of Chocolate

Crowds at the inaugural Melt Festival of Chocolate are picking up as food trucks put chocolatey spins on their dishes, and demonstrations are underway.

Mum Terri Harford was at the festival with her husband and her children Logan, 3, and Emily, 5.

Harford said she's seen the event advertised on Facebook and thought it would be a good day out eating chocolate.

"We've had the churros, and Emily wants to go and get more. Then my husband is going to get the chocolate, chilli steak sandwich," Harford said.

Mum Terri Harford enjoys the sun and chocolate with Logan, 3, and Emily, 5. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

"It's a nice safe environment for the kids. It's something cool for Rotorua to have.

"Hopefully it's successful and something that can be done annually."

Organiser Alia Ryan said the four-day event was off to a good start and more people were starting to arrive now demonstrations are underway.

There was everything from waffles and churros to sandwiches and tacos at the festival. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

"Most people have come to enjoy seeing the vendors putting a chocolate twist on the food," she said.

"We've got a Mexican truck doing "chocamole" on all their dishes, we've got churros, ice cream and a steak sandwich with a chilli and chocolate rub."

Ryan estimated a few 100 people had visited Melt central on Friday night and Saturday morning.

The event continues on Sunday and Monday and entry is $10 for adults and $5 for children.

A chocolate stall at Melt. PHOTO/BEN FRASER