The International Chocolate Awards is pleased to reveal the winners of the Americas 2012 semi-final, which took place in New York, 9-14 September at Ultramarinos (Zafrakitchens.com) (Selection and Grand Jury rounds) and the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute (Main round), with logistical support from Chocolate Earth. Over 200 entries were received for this round, with a fantastic array of origin bars, styles and flavours on offer.
The International Chocolate Awards is a new competition set up to recognise the best fine quality chocolate from around the world. The awards are designed to reflect international tastes and offer a level playing field for international entries. The judging panel is made up of experts, food journalists and pastry chefs from the host country, overseen by a Grand Jury who travel to each competition.
Prizes
The categories, which range from origin bars to filled chocolates to spreads, are designed to reflect the current chocolate industry. Prizes are separated according to category, with just one Gold awarded in each category and a number of Silver awards available.
For countries where there were 10 or more entries in a category we’ve also awarded a country Gold for the highest scoring product in that category, for products that made it to the Grand Jury round.
For the bar categories we have given awards for Directly Traded, Organic and Chocolate Maker. World finalists have also been indicated, these are products which have achieved a highly commended and will also be invited to enter the judging of the World Final in October 2012 in London, along with the medal winners.
The Winners and World Finalists of the 2012 Americas Semi Final round are:
[line]Bars
Bars – Dark plain/origin bars
Overall winners
GOLD: Pacari Chocolate, Ecuador – 70% Piura-Quemazon
SILVER: Pacari Chocolate, Ecuador – 70% Nube
SILVER: Amano Artisan Chocolate, United States – Cuyagua — 70% Dark Chocolate
SILVER: Pacari Chocolate, Ecuador – 70% Raw
SILVER: Franceschi Chocolate, Venezuela – Canoabo
SILVER: Fresco Chocolate, United States – 212 Dominican Republic: Light Roast, Subtle Conche
Special awards
GOLD – Chocolate Maker: Pacari Chocolate, Ecuador – 70% Piura-Quemazon
GOLD – Growing Country Chocolate: Pacari Chocolate, Ecuador – 70% Nube
GOLD – Directly Traded Cacao: Pacari Chocolate, Ecuador – 70% Piura-Quemazon
GOLD – Organic: Pacari Chocolate, Ecuador – 70% Piura-Quemazon
National awards
GOLD – USA: Amano Artisan Chocolate, United States – Cuyagua — 70% Dark Chocolate
GOLD – ECUADOR: Pacari Chocolate, Ecuador – 70% Nube
World Finalists
Amano Artisan Chocolate, United States – Chuao 70% Dark Chocolate
Franceschi Chocolate, Venezuela – Franceschi Chocolate/ Sur Del Lago
Amma Chocolate, Brazil – Amma 60%
Amano Artisan Chocolate, United States – Ocumare — 70% Dark Chocolate
Bars – Milk plain/origin bars
Overall winners
GOLD: Tcho Ventures, Inc., United States – Seriousmilk “Cacao”
SILVER: Amma Chocolate, Brazil – Amma 45%
SILVER: Tcho Ventures, Inc., United States – Seriousmilk “Classic”
Special awards
GOLD – Growing Country Chocolate: Amma Chocolate, Brazil – Amma 45%
Bars – White plain/origin bars
Overall winners
GOLD: Chocolates El Rey, C.A., Venezuela – Icoa White Chocolate
SILVER: Askinosie Chocolate, United States – Davao White Chocolate Bar
Special awards
GOLD – Growing Country Chocolate: Chocolates El Rey, C.A., Venezuela – Icoa White Chocolate
Bars – Flavoured dark chocolate
Overall winners
GOLD: Pacari Chocolate, Ecuador – Pacari 60% With Lemongrass
SILVER: Pacari Chocolate, Ecuador – Raw 70% Chocolate Bar With Salt And Cacao Nibs
SILVER: Madre Chocolate, United States – Triple Cacao
National awards
GOLD – USA: Madre Chocolate, United States – Triple Cacao
World Finalists
Pacari Chocolate, Ecuador – Raw 70% Chocolate Bar With Maca
The Grenada Chocolate Company, Grenada – Nib-A-Licious
Bars – Flavoured milk chocolate
Overall winners
GOLD: Askinosie Chocolate, United States – Dark Milk Chocolate + Black Licorice Collabaration™ Bar
SILVER: Tcho Ventures, Inc., United States – Tchopairings Mokaccino
National awards
GOLD – USA: Askinosie Chocolate, United States – Dark Milk Chocolate + Black Licorice Collabaration™ Bar
[line]Filled chocolates – unflavoured dark
Unflavoured dark – Ganaches and truffles
No awards given
Nut based pralines
(No flavour other than nut)
No awards given
[line]Filled chocolates – flavoured dark
Flavoured dark – Ganaches and truffles
Overall winners
SILVER: Fika Choklad, United States – Cinnamon/Tabasco
SILVER: Arcay Chocolates, Venezuela – Parchita (Passion Fruit)
SILVER: Luxx Chocolat, United States – Honey Pot
SILVER: Compania De Chocolates, Argentina – Yerba Mate Bombon
National awards
GOLD – USA: Fika Choklad, United States – Cinnamon/Tabasco
World Finalists
Arcay Chocolates, Venezuela – Limon (Lemon Or Lime)
Delysia Chocolatier, United States – Jalapeno Tequila
Flavoured dark – Nut based pralines and gianduja
No awards given
Flavoured dark – Caramels
World Finalists
Luxx Chocolat, United States – Oh Ginger
Fruit pastes, jellies/gelée, enrobed whole fruits
Overall winners
GOLD: Pacari Chocolate, Ecuador – Organic And Biodynamic Chocolate Convered Golden Berries
[line]Filled chocolates – milk (flavoured or unflavoured)
Milk – Ganaches and truffles
No awards given
Milk – Nut based pralines and gianduja
Overall winners
GOLD: Fika Choklad, United States – Hazelnut Gianduja
Milk – Caramels
(Iincluding plain caramels)
GOLD: Fika Choklad, United States – Burnt Caramel
SILVER: Theo Chocolate, United States – Ghost Chile Caramel
[line]Spreads
Spreads with dark chocolate
Overall winners
SILVER: Madison Chocolatiers West, United States – Not Your Grandma’S Caramel Sauce
Spreads with milk chocolate
World Finalists
Lillie Belle Farms, United States – Smokey Blue Truffle Spread
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