UK’s Academy of Chocolate opens its 2021 annual awards
The UK’s Academy of Chocolate has opened entries for its 2021 annual awards, aiming to celebrate global artisan confectionery talent, reports, Neill Barston.
As in previous years, chocolatiers and chocolate makers will be able to enter their products in 32 key categories.
Considered as the world’s most established accolades of their kind, organisers will work with more judges made up of leading chocolate experts, food writers, professional tasters and other leading industry professionals, to recognise key innovations within the sector.
With COVID enforced restrictions in mind, the judging process, which Confectionery Production has previously contributed towards, will this year will be phased and mixed, comprising of virtual and in-person sessions.
Lasting a period of six weeks, the judging process will assess appearance, depth of aroma and flavour, length and complexity, to determine the gold, silver, and bronze winners in each category.
As in previous years, promising products that are not yet at award-winning level will receive commendations, with the awards having previously attracted entrants from highly established businesses in the luxury confectionery segment including Prestat and Hotel Chocolat.
The results will be announced upon the completion of judging, and the Special Awards will be announced after a Grand Jury meeting in October, with the aim of the event to also highlight rising stars around the world.
Launched in 2005, the prestigious Academy of Chocolate awards have gone from strength to strength mirroring the growth of the fine chocolate market.
In the first year, the non-for-profit organisation had 12 entries submitted for its awards. In 2020, that figure had grown to a record-breaking 1,600 submissions from 50 countries. The special award winners from 2020 will be announced online at the end of April.
Sara Jayne Stanes, president, The Academy of Chocolate, said: “We are delighted to launch the 2021 awards. This year has been incredibly tough for so many people which is why all of us at the Academy are keen to showcase some of the best chocolate makers across the world and help to profile the brilliant work that they do.
