No matter what your chosen path in life, there are always ways to measure your progression in your craft -- to see how you fare with others pursuing the same passion around the country and around the world.
Chocolate is no different. Every year, chocolatiers have an opportunity to enter their creations into the International Chocolate Awards. The competition has two stages -- the first is a match in your home country with chocolatiers from coast to coast. If you're lucky to be recognized at the national level, the award-winning chocolates are invited to be judged in the World Final.
The World Final takes place during Chocolate Week in London, England in October. This year, thousands of products were judged by a panel of experts, food journalists, sommeliers, pastry chefs and members of the international Grand Jury, who travel from around the world to London to savour and assess the entries. 800 products made it to the world final to be judged for awards.
It's a nerve-wracking experience, particularly for Canadian chocolatiers because the finalists in our country are announced just days before submissions are due in the World Final. It doesn't leave much time to prepare between competitions.
There are several categories in which chocolate makers can enter. For us, we focus our efforts on the ganache or truffle category. This year we were delighted to win a total of 14 awards in both competitions.
Pure Nacional (Gold Canada, Gold World Final)
The Orange Grove (Gold Canada, Gold World Final)
Almond Coconut Praline (Gold Canada, Silver World Final)
Lime (Silver Canada, Bronze World Final)
Teaism (Gold Canada)
Herbsaint (Silver Canada)
Raspberry Noir (Silver Canada)
Passionfruit and St. Germaine Caramel (Silver Canada)
Matcha Green Tea (Silver Canada)
Salted Butter Caramel (Silver Canada)
