Americas Competition 2015 Winners

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.

Links

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 Chama

Plain/origin milk bar categories

Gold: Chocolates El Rey  (Venezuela) - Caoba

Plain/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 Rose
Silver – 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 Chama
Gold – 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) - Caoba
Gold – 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) - Icoa
Gold – 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.