The Rise of American Craft Chocolate: Celebrating Excellence at the 2024 International Chocolate Awards

In a landmark event for North American chocolate makers, the 2024 Americas - USA & Canada Bean-to-Bar and Craft Chocolatier Competition has showcased the region's flourishing craft chocolate scene. This year's competition marks a significant milestone, being the first time the Americas competition was split into separate regional semi-finals, highlighting the growing sophistication and scale of the North American chocolate craft.

A New Chapter in American Chocolate Making

The craft chocolate movement in North America has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the late 1990s. While European chocolatiers have long dominated the global chocolate scene, the United States and Canada have carved out their own distinct identity in the bean-to-bar movement, emphasizing direct trade relationships with cacao farmers and innovative flavor profiles that challenge traditional chocolate-making conventions.

The Evolution of Craft Chocolate in North America

The American craft chocolate revolution began in earnest with pioneers like Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, founded in 1996 in Berkeley, California. As the first modern American craft chocolate maker, they set the stage for a new generation of artisanal producers. The movement gained momentum in the early 2000s with companies like Askinosie Chocolate and Theo Chocolate establishing themselves as leaders in ethical sourcing and innovative production methods.

Canada's craft chocolate scene emerged slightly later but has grown rapidly, with makers like Soma Chocolatemaker in Toronto and East Van Roasters in Vancouver gaining international recognition for their exceptional bean-to-bar creations.

The 2024 Competition: A Testament to Growth

This year's International Chocolate Awards competition, judged remotely during Summer 2024, represents the culmination of decades of development in North American chocolate craftsmanship. Under the guidance of co-founders Dr. Maricel E. Presilla and Martin Christy, along with Grand Jury members Barbie Van Horn, Lauren Adler, and Alex Rast, the competition has set new standards for excellence in craft chocolate.

Competition Highlights

The judging process exemplified the rigor and professionalism that has come to characterize the craft chocolate industry:

- Anonymous judging throughout all stages
- Comprehensive evaluation by experienced Americas judges and IICCT alumni
- Private voting system for awarding Gold, Silver, and Bronze prizes
- Focus on fine, craft, and micro-batch chocolate makers
- Categories spanning plain/origin bars, flavored chocolates, filled chocolates, dragées, and spreads

The Impact on Craft Chocolate

The division of the Americas competition into separate regional semi-finals reflects the maturation of the North American craft chocolate market. This change acknowledges the unique characteristics and innovations of USA and Canadian chocolate makers, while maintaining the high standards expected at the international level.

All Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners from this competition will advance to the World Final in October 2024, where they will compete against the finest chocolate makers globally. This progression from regional to international competition underscores the increasing prominence of North American craft chocolate on the world stage.

Looking Forward

The success of the 2024 USA & Canada Bean-to-Bar and Craft Chocolatier Competition signals a bright future for North American chocolate making. As consumers become more educated about craft chocolate and makers continue to innovate, we can expect to see:

- Further development of unique American and Canadian chocolate styles
- Increased emphasis on direct trade relationships with cacao farmers
- Growing recognition of regional makers in international competitions
- Continued innovation in flavor profiles and production techniques

The craft chocolate movement in North America has evolved from a niche industry to a significant force in the global chocolate market, with makers consistently pushing boundaries and redefining what chocolate can be. As these artisans prepare for the World Final in October 2024, they carry forward a tradition of excellence that has become synonymous with North American craft chocolate.

The International Chocolate Awards continues to play a crucial role in recognizing and promoting these achievements, ensuring that the finest chocolate makers receive the recognition they deserve while encouraging the next generation of craft chocolate pioneers.