Craft Chocolat Challenge
Season 5
2026 Craft Chocolat Challenge Winners
Top Overall - Gold
A. Craft Chocolate
72% Dark Chocolate
Madagascar
Top Overall - Silver
Indigenous Chocolate
74% Dark Chocolate
Chuncho, Peru
Top Overall - Bronze
Yojoa
White Chocolate
Anis Avocado
Best Dark - Gold
A. Craft Chocolate
72% Dark Chocolate Madagascar
Best Dark - Silver
Indigenous Chocolate
74% Dark Chocolate
Chuncho, Peru
Best Dark - Bronze
The Cacao Dimension
70% Dark Chocolate
Brandy Infused
Best Milk - Gold
Blue Spruce Chocolates
60% Milk Chocolate
Best Milk - Silver
Sweets Escalier
Milk Chocolate Brownie
Best Milk - Bronze
Slow Cocoa
49% Oat Milk Chocolate
Best White - Gold
Yojoa
White Chocolate​
Anis Avocado
Best White - Silver
Choco Forest
Yuzu Chili
Best White - Bronze
Cacaoworks
Saskatoon Berry Pie
Best Inclusion - Gold
Carobeans
Toasted Buttermilk White w/ Pineapple
Best Inclusion - Silver
Dionisia Chocolate
White Chocolate w/ Lulo & Maracuya
Best Inclusion - Bronze
Chachalate
70% Dark Chocolate
Sobacha
Top Innovation
True Chocolate
75% Dark Chocolate
Protein
Top Innovation
Choco Estates
85% Dark Chocolate
Vegan Golden Milk
Top Innovation
Lotus Nutrition
70% Dark Chocolate Roasted Macambo
2026 Judging Panel
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Judge 1 Profile
Chocolate Maker/Chocolatier
Preferred Cuisine: Italian
Preferred Chocolate: Creamy Dark Milk Chocolate
Preferred Beverages: Barley Tea
Judge 2 Profile
Chocolate Journalist & Experienced Chocolate Judge
Preferred Cuisine: Comida tipica y criolla (typical local wherever I am)
Preferred Chocolate: Unusual Flavorings and Inclusions
Preferred Beverages: Coffee & Fermented
Judge 3 Profile*
Chocolate Educator
Preferred Cuisine: Japanese
Preferred Chocolate: All
Preferred Beverages: Sparkling Water
Judge 4 Profile
Chocolate Journalist
Preferred Cuisine: Thai
Preferred Chocolate: Dark Milk with Sea Salt.
Preferred Beverages: Full-bodied Red Wine
Judge 5 Profile
Chocolate Educator/Writer
Preferred Cuisine: Mediterranean
Preferred Chocolate: 70-85% dark
Preferred Beverages: Herbal tea, strong decaf coffee & seltzer water
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Judge 6 Profile
Chocolate Enthusiast & Reviewer
Preferred Cuisine: All except sweets
Preferred Chocolate: 2 Ingredient Single Origins
Preferred Beverages: Coffee & White Wine
​
Judge 7 Profile
Chocolate Maker & Chocolate Sommelier
Preferred Cuisine: Italian
Preferred Chocolate: Bright 70% Darks
Preferred Beverages: Limoncello Lacroix
Judge 8 Profile
Chocolate Educator
Preferred Cuisine: I enjoyed them all
Preferred Chocolate: Dark Chocolate 70% +
Preferred Beverages: Water/Flavored LaCroix
Judge 9 Profile
Craft Chocolate Store Manager
Preferred Cuisine: I'm curious about them all
Preferred Chocolate: Complex in flavor & aroma
Preferred Beverages: Water
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