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.
- 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 Chama
Plain/origin milk bar categories
Gold: Chocolates El Rey (Venezuela) – Caoba
Tablettes D’Origine/Noir
Tablettes de chocolat noir nature/d’origine
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: Pacari Chocolate (Ecuador) – Lacumbia 70%
Silver: Pacari Chocolate (Ecuador) – Montubia 70%
Silver: Pacari Chocolate (Ecuador) – Raw 70%
Silver: Pacari 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: Pacari Chocolate (Ecuador) – Esmeraldas
Bronze: Rogue Chocolatier (United States) – Tranquilidad
Bronze: Soma Chocolatemaker (Canada) – Porcelana
Micro-batch – Tablettes de chocolat noir nature/d’origine
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%
Tablettes de chocolat noir brut nature/d’origine
Bronze: Cacaosuyo (Peru) – Batanero
Tablettes de chocolat noir nature/d’origine avec sucre naturel édulcorant
Silver: Palette de Bine (Canada) – Palette de Bine « Bines à l’érable » San Juan Estate Trinidad 70%
Bronze: Starchild Chocolate (United States) – Wild & Raw
Tablettes de chocolat au lait nature/d’origine
Gold: Chocolates El Rey (Venezuela) – Caoba
Silver: Cacaosuyo (Peru) – Piura Milk
Silver: Fruition Chocolate Works (United States) – Maranon Milk
Micro-batch – Tablettes de chocolat au lait nature/d’origine
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%
Tablettes de chocolat blanc nature/d’origine
Gold: Chocolates El Rey (Venezuela) – Icoa
Tablettes Aromatisées
Tablettes de chocolat noir avec infusion ou arôme
Gold: Pacari Chocolate (Ecuador) – Lemon Verbena
Silver: Le Chocolat de H (Japan) – Sakura Cigar
Silver: Pacari Chocolate (Ecuador) – Andean Geranium
Silver: Pacari Chocolate (Ecuador) – Andean Mint
Silver: Pacari 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
Tablettes de chocolat noir avec inclusions ou morceaux
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: Pacari 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: Pacari Chocolate (Ecuador) – Cuzco Salt and Cacao Nibs
Bronze: Xocolatl de Davíd (United States) – Brown Butter Crunch Bar
Tablettes de chocolat noir avec fourrage
Silver: Ethereal Confections (United States) – Meltaway 66% Cacao Blood Orange & Vanilla Bean
Tablettes de chocolat au lait avec infusion ou arôme
Gold: TCHO Chocolate (United States) – Mokaccino
Silver: Fruition Chocolate Works (United States) – Barrel Aged Dark Milk
Silver: Maverick Chocolate Company (United States) – Prohibition Bar
Tablettes de chocolat au lait avec inclusions ou morceaux
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
Tablettes de chocolat au lait avec fourrage
Silver: Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier (United States) – Coconut Caramel Bar
Tablettes de chocolat blanc aromatisées
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, pralines avec ganache, truffes
Ganaches ou truffes au chocolat noir non aromatisées
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
Ganaches ou truffes de chocolat noir aromatisées
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
Ganaches ou truffes au chocolat au lait
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
Ganaches ou truffes au chocolat blanc
Gold: Chocolopolis (United States) – Lemon Lavender Truffle
Silver: French Broad Chocolates (United States) – Cosmopolitan Truffle
Ganaches ou truffes utilisant du chocolat noir/au lait/blanc pour l’enrobage et la garniture
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
Fruits secs
Chocolat noir gianduiotto / cremino
Silver: Valenza Chocolatier (United States) – Gianduiotti – Maximo
Dragées/ fruits secs entiers enrobés au chocolat noir
Gold: Pacari Chocolate (Ecuador) – Chocolate Covered Cacao Beans Natural
Praliné au chocolat lait
Gold: es koyama (Japan) – Hyuganatsu Noisette
Silver: es koyama (Japan) – Kumquat Noisette
Caramels
Caramels enrobés de chocolat noir
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
Caramels enrobés de chocolat au lait
Bronze: Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier (United States) – Chardonnay Salt Caramel
Autres – fruits / sucre / beurre / crème
Fruits entiers enrobés de chocolat noir
Silver: Pacari Chocolate (Ecuador) – Chocolate Covered Banana
Pâte à tartiner
Pâtes à tartiner au chocolat au lait
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
Tablettes de chocolat noir nature/d’origine
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 – Tablettes de chocolat noir nature/d’origine
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
Tablettes de chocolat noir avec inclusions ou morceaux
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
Tablettes de chocolat blanc aromatisées
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
Ganaches ou truffes de chocolat noir aromatisées
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
Tablettes de chocolat noir nature/d’origine
Gold – Chocolate Maker: Soma Chocolatemaker (Canada) – CSB Chama
Gold – Directly Traded: Pacari Chocolate (Ecuador) – Montubia 70%
Gold – Growing Country: Pacari Chocolate (Ecuador) – Montubia 70%
Gold – Organic: Pacari Chocolate (Ecuador) – Montubia 70%
Micro-batch – Tablettes de chocolat noir nature/d’origine
Gold – Directly Traded: Cacao Hunters (Colombia) – Arhuaco 72%
Gold – Growing Country: Cacao Hunters (Colombia) – Arhuaco 72%
Tablettes de chocolat au lait nature/d’origine
Gold – Directly Traded: Chocolates El Rey (Venezuela) – Caoba
Gold – Growing Country: Chocolates El Rey (Venezuela) – Caoba
Gold – Organic: Cacaosuyo (Peru) – Piura Milk
Micro-batch – Tablettes de chocolat au lait nature/d’origine
Gold – Chocolate Maker: Castronovo Chocolate (United States) – Rare Cacao Collection – Colombia, Sierra Nevada Dark Milk 63%
Tablettes de chocolat blanc nature/d’origine
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.