Entries now open for International Chocolate Awards

Sept. 4, 2013, Vancouver – The International Chocolate Awards is again starting out with a nationwide competition from Sept. 22 to 25 before finalists’ head to the world competition.

Following rounds in Italy, Israel, London and New York, entries are now open for the Canadian national competition of the International Chocolate Awards. Winners will be recognized at an awards ceremony on Sept. 26 at Xoxolat, a chocolate gallery in Vancouver.

The competition’s categories, which range from flavoured bars to filled chocolates to spreads, are designed to reflect the current chocolate industry. Prizes are separated according to category, with just one gold awarded in each category and a number of silver awards also available. Award winners are then invited to enter the World Final, which takes place in London in October. Companies wishing to participate have until Sept. 18 to enter for this year’s competition.

 Judging will take place Sept. 22–25 at Vancouver Community College –Baking and Pastry Arts Department. The judging panel is made up of chocolate experts, food journalists and pastry chefs, with a core-judging panel of international experts traveling to each competition.

Almost 100 products were entered into the 2012 Canadian competition, with 16 making it through to the World Finals and two picking up World Silver Awards: Calgary’s Cococo Chocolatiers for their Habanero, Sea Salt, Thyme and Rosemary Milk Chocolate Bar; and Vancouver’s Beta5 for their Imperial Stout chocolate truffle.

The International Chocolate Awards is an independent organization set up in 2012 by Martin Christy, founder of fine chocolate review site Seventy%, and Kate Johns, director of Chocolate Week.