As part of our commitment to transparency, we publish the names of the judges for each competition. (If judges opt-in for their names to be made public.)

Each competition is judged by a panel of experts, food journalists, sommeliers and pastry chefs, including the names listed below. The competition is overseen by members of our international Grand Jury, who travel to each competition.

We would like to thank our judges for their hard work, including any who chose for their names not to be listed. You can find the full list of winners for this competition in our ‘Rounds & results’ section.

Grace Abell-Neal (United Kingdom), York on a Fork, York on a Fork

Cat Black (United Kingdom), Food Writer, Food writer

Martin Christy (United Kingdom), Seventy%, Permanent Grand Jury

Desmond Clarke (United Kingdom), Vincents Coffee

John Costello (United Kingdom), Simply ganache

Anjul Dutt (United Kingdom), Food Journalist

Mark Fowler (United Kingdom), Formerly Nestle Cocoa and Chocolate R&S Manager

David Greenwood-Haigh (United Kingdom), Coeur De Xocolat Ltd, www.coeurdexocolat.com

Nicky Hayer (United Kingdom), Managing Director, Nima

Barry Johnson (United Kingdom), Chocolatier and Pastry Chef – Owner of The Cocoa Lab, Lecturer at The National Bakery School & Home Chocolate Factory

Janette Marshall (United Kingdom), freelance writer

Monica Meschini (Italy), Chocolate/Tea Taster, Sommelier, Permanent Grand Jury

Michelle Procter (United Kingdom), York Cocoa House

Alex Rast (United Kingdom), Consultant, Reviewer, Seventy% , Permanent Grand Jury

Sarah Sysum (United Kingdom), BBC Good Food Group, BBC GOOD FOOD

Sophie Vanderbecken (Mexico), Chocolatería Le Caméléon

Bethan Vincent (United Kingdom), Vincent’s Coffee