News Archives - Academy of Chocolate

18th July 202213th January 2023

Asian flavours lead the way for bars in Academy of Chocolate Awards

The results of the first phase of the 2022 Academy of Chocolate Awards are in, with Asian flavours leading the way across the bean-to-bar and tree-to-bar categories. Taiwan was described as “a source of innovation”, representing a high proportion of awards in both plain and flavoured categories. Ping Tung-based Fu Wan Chocolate secured …

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7th February 20227th February 2022

Two chocolate producers scoop much coveted Golden Beans at 2021 Academy of Chocolate special awards

The Academy of Chocolate today announced its special award winners for 2021, with Standout Chocolate and Krak Chocolate both winning a Golden Bean award. Announced via AoC’s Instagram account, leading chocolate makers from across the world were celebrated as part of the industry’s most established annual awards. Fredrik Martinsson of Standout Chocolate from Sweden, with his Single …

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19th November 2021

Globally inspired flavours dominate AoC’s 2021 Filled Chocolate Awards

Chocolates featuring Indian, Japanese and Thai flavours shared prominence with Nordic, East European and Georgian accents, in this year’s Academy of Chocolate Awards Filled Chocolate categories. Innovative flavour-melding alongside playful interplay of textures, all matched by technical excellence, produced a diverse array of novel entrants – not least amongst the top scoring Bonbons. Nostalgic …

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23rd September 2021

White chocolate and bars with higher cocoa content surprise judges at AoC awards

White chocolate bars and varieties with higher cocoa content have been the unexpected winners in this year’s Academy of Chocolate Awards. Almost a thousand bars from across the world were submitted for judging, with both plain and flavoured white chocolate bars scoring highly. White chocolate bars picked up more than 12 silvers and 7 golds …

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26th July 202130th July 2021

We inform you of the passing of our founder and president, Sara Jayne Stanes OBE

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of our founder and president, Sara Jayne Stanes OBE on Saturday morning (24 July 2021). Sara has been a true friend and colleague to so many of us. Her drive and dedication has had a huge impact on the global chocolate industry, and …

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6th May 20216th May 2021

Top producers honoured at Academy of Chocolate special awards

Two artisanal producers have been named as winners of the coveted Golden Bean trophy at the prestigious Academy of Chocolate Awards this year. Chocolat Madagascar, which became the first tree-to-bar producer to win the Golden Bean award in 2017, has again been successful with its single-farm ‘Ottange’ bar, made from 100% cacao. Meanwhile, Qantu, which …

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14th April 2021

World’s most established fine chocolate awards are open for entries

The Academy of Chocolate has announced the launch of its 2021 annual awards, seeking to recognise and profile the world’s most incredible chocolates and their producers. As in previous years, chocolatiers and chocolate makers will be able to enter their products in 32 key categories. As the world’s most established chocolate awards, organisers will work …

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6th April 20216th April 2021

The Academy of Chocolate announces new board appointments

The Academy of Chocolate, an independent not-for-profit membership body that promotes real chocolate, has announced a series of new appointments within its board. Former chair and founder, Sara Jayne Stanes OBE, has been appointed president of the Academy, while Chantal Coady OBE and Clive Martyr have been appointed co-chairs. As part of the move, Coady …

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29th May 2020

INTERVIEW: Duffy Sheardown from Duffy’s Chocolate

After years 30 of making racing cars, Duffy knew what life was like in the fast lane. Since winning both a Golden Bean and the ‘Best Newcomer’ award in 2011, his UK-based business has gone on to pick up numerous accolades for a wide range of products. But despite all of this success in a …

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29th May 2020

Coping during and after the pandemic – Simon Wright

Coping during and after the pandemic By Simon Wright, Of+ Consulting Founder and Academy of Chocolate Board Member In the UK, the lockdown has stimulated sales of bars of chocolate as we spend more time at home with our families. I do wonder whether it’s a shared treat or a coping mechanism. It’s safe to …

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