A very short post, designed only to make you all feel very jealous…
Yes, I have once again been judging for the Academy of Chocolate Awards.
I was invited for the first time last year and was so dubious as to whether I would have any serious expertise to offer that I only did one category. However, inspired by the Academy’s excellent tasting notes, this year I put my hand up for filled chocolates in the morning, and chocolate bars in the afternoon. Maybe a little ambitious – it did rather feel that way as we tackled the 35th bar sample at 5pm….
But some amazing chocolates. All the entries that we judged will get judged again by a different panel before going on to a final judging session so I am giving nothing away by highlighting a few of the more bizarre – and the more delicious.
In the bizarre corner were definitely the kale and mustard bar (the green one on the plate above), a black garlic filled chocolate and a curry bar (surprisingly successful!). Also in the bizarre corner were the Mandarin and green tea ‘truffles’…
…these amazing ‘space balls’…
… and these sablés each of which had a sort of mini Bakewell tart inside!
In the super delicious corner, try these cardamom and ginger bars…
…and the rum soaked cherry truffles – which were also one of the prettiest with tiny red cherries with green stalks on the top of the each truffle.
However, you will need to possess your souls in patience. As I said, there is much judging yet to be done before the winners are announced later in the year. To stay in the loop check in every now and to the Academy of Chocolate Awards site for the latest update.
You can go off some people….
Oh, it’s a hard life!! That looks like a delicious day indeed.