You may remember that a couple of months ago I was lucky enough to be invited to judge at the 2017 Academy of Chocolate Awards – a fascinating experience for one who likes chocolate (does anyone not?) but really knew very little about ‘fine’ chocolate.
The Academy believes that very few producers, let alone consumers, really understand the difference between fine chocolate and ‘confectionery’ in which the subtle flavours of the cocoa bean are masked by sugar and fat. Their ‘mission’, therefore, is to encourage consumers to seek out and try fine chocolate for themselves. The awards are a way to encourage specialist growers and makers from all over the world to get their wares better known. And very successful they have been too with, if my memory serves me, nearly 1500 entries this year.
So, for those of you who would like be discerning chocolate consumers, the results of the 2017 awards, many from seriously exotic locations, are now out and you will find them all here.
The awards ceremony, held at Claridges, was very glamorous, as you can see. And, I must say, Claridges served us some simply delicious canapés – and a selection of the chocolate to sample. Unfortunately, I could not stay long enough to taste them all. Hopefully I will get invited back to judge again next year!! However, I did appreciate the flower arrangements….
