Inside the 12th annual Chocolate Show

Trick or treat! Halloween happened early this morning at the opening of The Chocolate Show. Press and trade were treated to a mini-fashion show of Halloween-inspired chocolate costumes (a dead Marie-Antoinette! A wicked witch!) and, of course, a ton of chocolate, from bite-size samples to chocolate drinks and chocolate beauty products at the new Beauty Pavilion.

In its 12th year, the Chocolate Show brings vendors from around the world where they showcase their sweets to the public (tickets are $28). This year, the show returned to the Metropolitian Pavilion, but it had a decidely more low-key vibe than blow-outs from seasons past. Has the recession has hit the sweetest of industries?

The Chocolate Show runs from October 30 to November 1.