Saturday is the 37th annual EPI Chocolate Ball. The black-tie gala raises money for epilepsy programs and services by showcasing some scrumptious cakes by Rochester’s best pastry chefs.

The EPI Chocolate Ball cake competition is the best of the best. These are convections almost too pretty to eat. There are nine cakes in this year’s competition. All of them are up for auction to support EPI.

What You Need To Know

  • If you or a loved one has epilepsy, EPI can help

  • EPI has more than 40 years of experience supporting people with brain injuries, epilepsy and their families with epilepsy-specific programs

  • EPI serves the Finger Lakes, Western, Southern Tier, Central New York regions and is headquartered in Rochester with offices in Syracuse and Binghamton

Kelia Diaz has been a professional baker for just a few years now. She makes all kinds of sweet cakes and will be a first-time competitor at the EPI Chocolate Ball.

“I just love the creativity and I allow my creativity to go wherever needs to go,” said Keila Diaz, owner of CakeLani.

She’s about to make a super special cake for the Chocolate Ball. She’s working on her recipe and design at The Commissary at the Mercantile on Main in Rochester.

“I am so excited,” Diaz said. “It all came out of nowhere and I had never heard of it before. As soon as I heard Chocolate Ball I was like that sounds like something I want to be a part of.”

“It’s the 37th Annual Chocolate Ball," said Sarah Korba, associate director of epilepsy services at EPI. “This year’s theme is La Dolce Vita.”

Chocolate Ball guests will sample, vote and bid on their favorite cake. Every year is a new theme with new flavors and designs. EPI appreciates everyone who volunteers for it.

“EPI is Empowering People’s Independence,” Korba said. “We provide programs and services to people with epilepsy, brain injuries and disabilities. We provide epilepsy services to people in 22 counties in upstate New York. The Chocolate Ball has been going for 37 years and we are super excited to bring it back and all its glory.”

EPI says one in 26 people in the U.S. has epilepsy. You can be a part of helping EPI help children and adults with developmental disabilities by donating directly to the effort at epiny.org.