The International Chocolate Awards is pleased to announce the Winners of the 2015 Americas Competition, which was judged April 26 – 30, 2015 in New York and at our Americas international partner, Ultramarinos in Hoboken, New Jersey.
International Judges
The judging panel included food writers, cacao and chocolate experts, journalists, bloggers, chefs and chocolate tasters from Europe, Japan, South America and the USA and members of our international Grand Jury panel.
- Winners
- Finalists
- Judges
- Grand Jury
Prizes
The entry categories include dark and milk plain/origin bars and our new micro-batch categories and are based on yearly feedback from our entrants and in consultation with the fine chocolate industry. All judging is anonymised, included at the Grand Jury final session, where Golds, Silver and Bronze prizes are awarded by private voting according to the Grand Jury rules.
Awards are awarded only to entries that meet the required standard for each prize. In view of identical scores at the Grand Jury round for the top two entries in the “Milk chocolate bars with an infusion or flavouring” category, two Golds were awarded at the Grand Jury’s discretion.
Best in competition
New for 2015, overall ‘best in competition’ single Golds were awarded for the best bar in the combined dark and combined milk chocolate categories, as voted for by the Grand Jury after all other scores have been compiled.
Additional Silver and Bronze prizes were given in several categories due to the high number of entries and excellent quality level.
(Prizes are shown in alphabetical order for each medal)
'Best in competition' overall winners
Plain/origin dark bar categories
Gold: Soma Chocolatemaker (Canada) - CSB ChamaPlain/origin milk bar categories
Gold: Chocolates El Rey (Venezuela) - CaobaPlain/origin bars
Plain/origin dark chocolate bars
Gold: Soma Chocolatemaker (Canada) - CSB Chama
Silver: Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate (United States) - 74% Dominican, Finca Elvesia
Silver: Marou - Faiseurs de Chocolat (Vietnam) - Tien Giang 70%
Silver: Paccari Chocolate (Ecuador) - Lacumbia 70%
Silver: Paccari Chocolate (Ecuador) - Montubia 70%
Silver: Paccari Chocolate (Ecuador) - Raw 70%
Silver: Paccari Chocolate (Ecuador) - Tangara 70%
Silver: Rogue Chocolatier (United States) - Jamaica
Silver: Rogue Chocolatier (United States) - Porcelana
Bronze: Amano Chocolate Company (United States) - Chuao 70% Dark Chocolate
Bronze: Amano Chocolate Company (United States) - Porcelana 70%
Bronze: AMAZ Chocolate (Peru) - Chocolate Origen Amazonas 67%
Bronze: ChocXO Bean to Bar Chocolatier (United States) - Camino Verde Ecuador Single Origin Dark Chocolate 72%
Bronze: ChocXO Bean to Bar Chocolatier (United States) - Tres Rios Limited Edition 68% Single Origin Dark Chocolate
Bronze: Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate (United States) - 72% Madagascar, Sambirano
Bronze: Franceschi Chocolate (Venezuela) - Canoabo 70% Crop 2015
Bronze: Paccari Chocolate (Ecuador) - Esmeraldas
Bronze: Rogue Chocolatier (United States) - Tranquilidad
Bronze: Soma Chocolatemaker (Canada) - Porcelana
Micro-batch - Plain/origin dark chocolate bars
Gold: Cacao Hunters (Colombia) - Arhuaco 72%
Silver: Cacao Hunters (Colombia) - Arauca 70%
Silver: Cacao Hunters (Colombia) - Sierra Nevada 64%
Silver: Cacao Hunters (Colombia) - Tumaco 70%
Silver: Dandelion Chocolate (United States) - Oko-Caribe, Dominican Republic
Silver: Fresco (United States) - 224 Dominican Republic 72%
Silver: Hummingbird Chocolate Maker (Canada) - Hispaniola 70%
Silver: Hummingbird Chocolate Maker (Canada) - Reserva Zorzal 70%
Silver: Sirene (Canada) - Guatemala 73%
Bronze: Brasstown Chocolate (United States) - Ecuador 75%
Bronze: Madre Chocolate (United States) - Likao Kula Farm, Kona HI
Bronze: Millcreek Cacao Roasters (United States) - 70% Pure Dark Chocolate Bar
Bronze: Palette de Bine (Canada) - Palette de Bine Lam Dong Vietnam 72%
Rough ground/textured plain/origin dark chocolate bars
Bronze: Cacaosuyo (Peru) - Batanero
Plain/origin dark chocolate bars made with alternative natural sugar
Silver: Palette de Bine (Canada) - Palette de Bine "Bines à l'érable" San Juan Estate Trinidad 70%
Bronze: Starchild Chocolate (United States) - Wild & Raw
Plain/origin milk chocolate bars
Gold: Chocolates El Rey (Venezuela) - Caoba
Silver: Cacaosuyo (Peru) - Piura Milk
Silver: Fruition Chocolate Works (United States) - Maranon Milk
Micro-batch - Plain/origin milk chocolate bars
Gold: Castronovo Chocolate (United States) - Rare Cacao Collection - Colombia, Sierra Nevada Dark Milk 63%
Silver: Castronovo Chocolate (United States) - Dominican Republic Dark Milk 50%
Bronze: Escazu Artisan Chocolates (United States) - Goats Milk, Carenero, Venezuela 60%
Plain/origin white chocolate bars
Gold: Chocolates El Rey (Venezuela) - Icoa
Flavoured bars
Dark chocolate bars with an infusion or flavouring
Gold: Paccari Chocolate (Ecuador) - Lemon Verbena
Silver: Le Chocolat de H (Japan) - Sakura Cigar
Silver: Paccari Chocolate (Ecuador) - Andean Geranium
Silver: Paccari Chocolate (Ecuador) - Andean Mint
Silver: Paccari Chocolate (Ecuador) - Lemongrass
Silver: Soma Chocolatemaker (Canada) - Stratus
Bronze: Brasstown Chocolate (United States) - Sea Salt 62%
Bronze: Chuao Chocolatier (United States) - Spicy Maya
Bronze: Forte Chocolates (United States) - Orange Jazz Bar
Bronze: Xocolatl de Davíd (United States) - Brown Butter Bar
Dark chocolate bars with inclusions or pieces
Gold: Amano Chocolate Company (United States) - Raspberry Rose
Silver: Amano Chocolate Company (United States) - Chili Mango
Silver: Askinosie Chocolate (United States) - San Jose Del Tambo, Ecuador Dark Chocolate Nibble Bar
Silver: Madre Chocolate (United States) - Triple Cacao, Dominican 70%
Silver: Paccari Chocolate (Ecuador) - Passion Fruit
Silver: Ritual Chocolate (United States) - Fleur de Sel
Silver: TCHO Chocolate (United States) - Galactic Gelato
Silver: Xocolatl de Davíd (United States) - Sourdough & Olive Oil Bar
Bronze: Paccari Chocolate (Ecuador) - Cuzco Salt and Cacao Nibs
Bronze: Xocolatl de Davíd (United States) - Brown Butter Crunch Bar
Dark chocolate bars with a filling
Silver: Ethereal Confections (United States) - Meltaway 66% Cacao Blood Orange & Vanilla Bean
Milk chocolate bars with an infusion or flavouring
Gold: TCHO Chocolate (United States) - Mokaccino
Silver: Fruition Chocolate Works (United States) - Barrel Aged Dark Milk
Silver: Maverick Chocolate Company (United States) - Prohibition Bar
Milk chocolate bars with inclusions or pieces
Gold: es koyama (Japan) - White Fermented Bean Curd & Milk Chocolate
Gold: Le Chocolat de H (Japan) - Tropical Island
Silver: es koyama (Japan) - Double Black (Black Currant & Black Garlic)
Silver: es koyama (Japan) - Edamame (Black Beans)
Silver: Le Chocolat de H (Japan) - Natto
Silver: TCHO Chocolate (United States) - TCHunky TCHOtella
Bronze: Chocotenango (United States) - Milk Chocolate with nutmeg, red pepper chili and sea salt
Bronze: Chuao Chocolatier (United States) - Baconluxious Chocolate
Bronze: TCHO Chocolate (United States) - Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Milk chocolate bars with a filling
Silver: Bissinger's Handcrafted Chocolatier (United States) - Coconut Caramel Bar
Flavoured white chocolate bars
Gold: Le Chocolat de H (Japan) - Houjicha Soba
Silver: es koyama (Japan) - Brown Sugar & Yuzu
Silver: es koyama (Japan) - Matcha & Rhubarb
Silver: es koyama (Japan) - Real Strawberry
Bronze: Forte Chocolates (United States) - Espresso White Swan Bar
Ganaches, palets, ganache pralines and truffles
Unflavoured dark chocolate ganaches or truffles
Gold: Chocolopolis (United States) - Dominican Republic House Blend Truffle
Silver: Dreams of Eva (Peru) - 70/70
Bronze: Chocolopolis (United States) - Madagascar Craft Truffle
Bronze: The Secret Chocolatier (United States) - 80% Dark Chocolate Truffle
Bronze: Truffle Shots (United States) - Signature Dark
Flavoured dark chocolate ganaches or truffles
Gold: Garcia Nevett (United States) - Anís y Papelón
Silver: Arcay Chocolates (United States) - Coco Rum
Silver: Dreams of Eva (Peru) - Piura / Amazonas
Silver: es koyama (Japan) - Black Shichimi Pepper & Chinese Milk Vetch Honey
Silver: Truffle Shots (United States) - Caramel Beurre Noisette
Bronze: Chuao Chocolatier (United States) - Spicy Maya Bonbon
Bronze: Compania de Chocolates (Argentina) - Malbec Ganache Truffle
Bronze: Forte Chocolates (United States) - Cherry Almond Truffle
Flavoured milk chocolate ganaches or truffles
Gold: es koyama (Japan) - Grappa (Bric del Gaian Grappa di Moscato d’Asti)
Silver: es koyama (Japan) - Daitokuji-Temple Natto
Silver: es koyama (Japan) - Vanilla Miso
Bronze: Truffle Shots (United States) - Tellicherry Cardamom
Flavoured white chocolate ganaches or truffles
Gold: Chocolopolis (United States) - Lemon Lavender Truffle
Silver: French Broad Chocolates (United States) - Cosmopolitan Truffle
Flavoured ganaches or truffles with combination coating or filling
Gold: Dreams of Eva (Peru) - Ají Amarillo
Silver: Arcay Chocolates (United States) - Parchita
Silver: Arcay Chocolates (United States) - Romero Salé
Silver: Arcay Chocolates (United States) - Tamarindo
Silver: Dreams of Eva (Peru) - Lúcuma / Pisco
Silver: Dreams of Eva (Peru) - Plátano / Habas
Silver: es koyama (Japan) - Double Berry & Camomille (Strawberry & Red Currant)
Silver: es koyama (Japan) - Matcha & Kinmokusei(fragrant olive)
Bronze: Arcay Chocolates (United States) - Confiture D'Orange
Bronze: Arcay Chocolates (United States) - Crema Irlandesa
Bronze: Chocolopolis (United States) - Raspberry Rose Truffle
Bronze: Compania de Chocolates (Argentina) - Gin and Grapefruit
Nuts
Dark chocolate gianduiotto / cremino
Silver: Valenza Chocolatier (United States) - Gianduiotti - Maximo
Dark chocolate dragées, enrobed whole nuts
Gold: Paccari Chocolate (Ecuador) - Chocolate Covered Cacao Beans Natural
Nut based pralines with milk chocolate
Gold: es koyama (Japan) - Hyuganatsu Noisette
Silver: es koyama (Japan) - Kumquat Noisette
Caramels
Dark chocolate enrobed caramels
Silver: Laurie & Sons (United States) - Moroccan Spiced Dark Chocolate Toffee Mini
Bronze: Laurie & Sons (United States) - Dark Chocolate Toffee Minis in Deliciously Dangerous Black Licorice
Milk chocolate enrobed caramels
Bronze: Bissinger's Handcrafted Chocolatier (United States) - Chardonnay Salt Caramel
Others - fruit/sugar/butter/cream/misc
Dark chocolate enrobed whole fruit
Silver: Paccari Chocolate (Ecuador) - Chocolate Covered Banana
Spreads
Spreads with milk chocolate
Gold: Arcay Chocolates (United States) - Passion Spread
Silver: es koyama (Japan) - Vanilla Miso
National awards
Given to Grand Jury finalists when there are 10 or more entries from one country in a category
Plain/origin dark chocolate bars
Gold – USA: Rogue Chocolatier (United States) - Jamaica
Silver – USA: Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate (United States) - 74% Dominican, Finca Elvesia
Silver – USA: Rogue Chocolatier (United States) - Porcelana
Silver – USA: Rogue Chocolatier (United States) - Tranquilidad
Micro-batch - Plain/origin dark chocolate bars
Gold – Canadian: Hummingbird Chocolate Maker (Canada) - Hispaniola 70%
Silver – Canadian: Hummingbird Chocolate Maker (Canada) - Reserva Zorzal 70%
Silver – Canadian: Sirene (Canada) - Guatemala 73%
Gold – USA: Fresco (United States) - 224 Dominican Republic 72%
Silver – USA: Dandelion Chocolate (United States) - Oko-Caribe, Dominican Republic
Silver – USA: Madre Chocolate (United States) - Likao Kula Farm, Kona HI
Silver – USA: Millcreek Cacao Roasters (United States) - 70% Pure Dark Chocolate Bar
Dark chocolate bars with inclusions or pieces
Gold – USA: Amano Chocolate Company (United States) - Raspberry RoseSilver – USA: Amano Chocolate Company (United States) - Chili Mango
Silver – USA: Askinosie Chocolate (United States) - San Jose Del Tambo, Ecuador Dark Chocolate Nibble Bar
Silver – USA: Madre Chocolate (United States) - Triple Cacao, Dominican 70%
Silver – USA: Ritual Chocolate (United States) - Fleur de Sel
Silver – USA: TCHO Chocolate (United States) - Galactic Gelato
Silver – USA: Xocolatl de Davíd (United States) - Sourdough & Olive Oil Bar
Flavoured white chocolate bars
Gold – Japan: Le Chocolat de H (Japan) - Houjicha Soba
Silver – Japan: es koyama (Japan) - Brown Sugar & Yuzu
Silver – Japan: es koyama (Japan) - Matcha & Rhubarb
Silver – Japan: es koyama (Japan) - Real Strawberry
Flavoured dark chocolate ganaches or truffles
Gold – USA: Garcia Nevett (United States) - Anís y Papelón
Silver – USA: Chuao Chocolatier (United States) - Spicy Maya Bonbon
Silver – USA: Truffle Shots (United States) - Caramel Beurre Noisette
Special awards
Given for entries that qualify for the special category criteria
Plain/origin dark chocolate bars
Gold – Chocolate Maker: Soma Chocolatemaker (Canada) - CSB ChamaGold – Directly Traded: Paccari Chocolate (Ecuador) - Montubia 70%
Gold – Growing Country: Paccari Chocolate (Ecuador) - Montubia 70%
Gold – Organic: Paccari Chocolate (Ecuador) - Montubia 70%
Micro-batch - Plain/origin dark chocolate bars
Gold – Directly Traded: Cacao Hunters (Colombia) - Arhuaco 72%Gold – Growing Country: Cacao Hunters (Colombia) - Arhuaco 72%
Plain/origin milk chocolate bars
Gold – Directly Traded: Chocolates El Rey (Venezuela) - CaobaGold – Growing Country: Chocolates El Rey (Venezuela) - Caoba
Gold – Organic: Cacaosuyo (Peru) - Piura Milk
Micro-batch - Plain/origin milk chocolate bars
Gold – Chocolate Maker: Castronovo Chocolate (United States) - Rare Cacao Collection - Colombia, Sierra Nevada Dark Milk 63%Plain/origin white chocolate bars
Gold – Directly Traded: Chocolates El Rey (Venezuela) - IcoaGold – Growing Country: Chocolates El Rey (Venezuela) - Icoa
(*) Declared chocolate maker for private label bars.
(**) Winner has declared the product is made with their own bean-to-bar chocolate or couverture.
