Judging of the awards takes place both remotely and in person. Remote judging of bars is only available to people within the UK (with some restrictions). Samples will be randomised to prevent more than one person receiving the same set of samples.

Judges will be selected after judging applications close October 4.

Due to bar judging being remote only, judges for bars will need more experience and knowledge in order to be able to fulfil their duties to the best possible standards. Around 100 samples will be shipped to you and you will be expected to taste and judge on your own within a 3-4 week period. No two judges will receive the same samples.

Remote bar judging must be completed on or before November 21, 2023. Judges who do not complete their judging before the deadline may not be invited back.

Moulded/enrobed chocolates, spreads, drinking chocolate, and brand experience is judged in person only with no option for remote judging.

You do not have to attend every in-person session for enrobed chocolates/drinks/spreads/brand experience but you will be asked which days you are able to attend. If you commit to an in-person day and do not attend without cancelling so your spot can be filled, you may not be invited back to judge again.

The dates for the in-person judging are as follows:

Filled/enrobed chocolates: October 24-27

Golden BonBon (grand jury): October 28

Hot/Drinking Chocolate, and spreads: November 4, 11, 18, 25

Brand Experience: December 2

Golden Bean (grand jury): December 9

All judging is done individually and scores are not discussed prior to submission in order to avoid undue influence.

In order to qualify for Grand Jury judging for Golden BonBon you will need to have completed the training day.

Click to Apply

To apply to be a judge of bars (remote judging only), you must satisfy ONE of the following criteria:
1.Must have a background in tasting food or drink to a high level. Example: sommelier, chef, or food/wine critic.
Please provide the name of the main place where you work/have worked.
OR
2.Must be a reviewer, blogger, or writer on any food and/or drink topic.
Please provide the URL of where you write for (i.e. if you have your own Instagram, Facebook, blog, TikTok, etc. or if you write for a multi-author publication a link to your bio)
OR
3.Must have worked in the food industry.
Please provide the name of the place where you worked.
OR
4.Must have judged in a prior competition.
Please provide year and category judged.
OR
5.Must have been directly personally recommended by a current AoC Awards Committee member.
Please provide the name of the committee member for validation.

In addition to the above requirement, it will be an important element of judging bars remotely if:
You are aware of at least 5 different origins outside continental Africa and the unique flavour of each.
You have knowledge of what makes a good chocolate including problems that signal a quality issue.
There is no proof required for this.

Click to Apply

 

To apply for judging moulded & enrobed chocolates, hot chocolate, or spreads, you must satisfy ONE of the following criteria:
1.Professionals from a food or food related background with experience in working with/tasting/writing about chocolate.
Please provide the name of the of the main company being referenced.
OR
2.Non-professional chocolate enthusiasts who enjoy chocolate and/or judging and are capable of evaluation and giving honest and fair, articulate, positive and/or negative feedback.
Please provide a brief summary of your chocolate experiences to date.
OR
3.An attendee of a AoC Judges Training event or other such experience of technique, creativity, complexity and balance whilst being both objective and impartial.
Please provide the date and type of training attended.
OR
4.Have judged in a prior competition.
Please provide year and category judged.
OR
5.Have been directly personally recommended by a current AoC Awards Committee member.
Please provide the name of the committee member for validation.

Click to Apply