The International Chocolate Awards is pleased to announce the Winners of the 2025 Americas – USA & Canada Bean-to-Bar and Craft Chocolatier Competition, which was judged remotely during Summer 2025.
Online Winners Presentation event – September 9, 2025
Join us for a special online event featuring chats, interviews, videos and features with our winners, judges and sponsors on September 9. Details of the event will be announced soon.
This competition focuses on fine, craft and micro-batch chocolate makers who work directly from cacao beans to produce plain/origin and flavoured chocolate bars and craft chocolatiers making filled chocolates, dragées and spreads from the North American region.
Winners will go through to the World Final in October 2025.
Celebrating diversity
For the second time, the Americas competition was divided into two separate regional semi-finals, showcasing the rich diversity of fine, craft, and micro-batch chocolate makers in the US and Canada. This distinction is purely geographic, recognizing the melting pot of cultures thriving in these large North American countries without implying a cultural or language divide. Makers of Latin American and Caribbean heritage, such as Qantu in Canada and Kahkow in the US – both tied for a gold in the micro-batch dark chocolate category – exemplify this diversity, bringing expertise, traditional knowledge, and high-quality cacaos from their countries of origin.
Innovative spirit of conservation and creativity
This competition highlights the innovative spirit of the craft chocolate industry in the US and Canada. Trends from Latin America, such as the versatile use of Theobroma relatives like Pataxte (Theobroma bicolor) and Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum), now thrive in the hands of US and Canadian makers.
The focus on quality and creativity shines through in limited-edition bars featuring rare cacaos, like Goodnow’s Yasica Special, made with a rare Nicaraguan criollo from El Tuma, and innovative enhanced fermentation techniques in the flavorful Kahkow’s West Indian bar.
A cultural range of flavors and ingredients
Regional culinary cultures are also celebrated in flavored bars and filled chocolates that reinterpret traditional recipes, such as Eldora’s Green Chile Bizcochito and Mole Mole bars, and Southwestern flavors like fresh corn and chiles blending seamlessly in Embers Chocolate’s Elote White Chocolate. This sweet creation provides a delightful counterpoint to the bold flavors of Sleepwalk Chocolatería’s Miel y Chiltepe, where Guatemala’s honey tames the punch of the tiny and brazen chiltepe. These US bars, drawing from local cultures with a clear gastronomic bent, shine alongside others featuring iconic Canadian ingredients like maple syrup and extraordinary berries in Kasama’s white chocolates.
Recognizing new and continuing excellence
With a large and diverse field of competitors, the US & Canada competition awarded prizes to makers at various stages of growth, from established companies with a track record of excellence to budding newcomers prioritizing quality and fine cacao sourcing from Latin America, Africa, and Asia Pacific.
Judges
The judging panel for this competition included our regular Americas judges, along with many of our IICCT alumni, other specialists from the local area and members of our international Grand Jury panel.
All judging was anonymised, including at the Grand Jury final session, where Golds, Silver and Bronze prizes were awarded by private voting according to the Grand Jury rules. Grand Jury Finalists are listed here.
All Gold, Silver and Bronze winners in this competition are eligible to enter the World Final in October 2025.
Diamond Custom Machines - Judging shipping partner
Big thanks to DCM for all their help getting the judging samples out to our judges in a timely manner. Find out more about DCM here.
Prizes
The winners of the 2025 Americas – USA & Canada Bean-to-Bar and Craft Chocolatier Competition are:
(Prizes are shown in score order for each medal)
‘Best in competition’ overall winners
Plain/origin dark bar categories
Gold: Kahkow (United States) – Monte Plata 100% (90.0)Plain/origin milk bar categories
Gold: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Classic Milk (89.7)Flavoured bar categories
Gold: Kasama Chocolate (Canada) – Strawberry White (91.7)Filled chocolates
Gold: Forte Chocolates (United States) – Orange Confit (90.3)Pure/origine repen
Pure/origine donkere chocoladerepen
Gold: Chaleur B Chocolat (Canada) – Tanzanie 79% organic (89.3) (**)
+ Gold: Chocolate Maker
+ Gold: Organic
Silver: French Broad Chocolate (United States) – 70% Dominican Republic Dark Chocolate (88.4) (**)
+ Gold: USA
Silver: Amano Chocolate (United States) – Cuyagua (88.3) (**)
Bronze: French Broad Chocolate (United States) – 70% Uganda Dark Chocolate (87.7) (**)
Bronze: Amano Chocolate (United States) – Sambirano Valley – Madagascar (87.1) (**)
Bronze: Amano Chocolate (United States) – El Cayo (87.0) (**)
Bronze: French Broad Chocolate (United States) – 70% Nicaragua Dark Chocolate (86.8) (**)
Bronze: Fruition Chocolate Works (United States) – Madagascar Sambirano 74% Dark (86.7) (**)
Micro-batch – Pure/origine donkere chocoladerepen
Gold: Kahkow (United States) – West Indian 67% (89.8) (**)
+ Gold: USA
+ Gold: Organic
+ Gold: Direct Traded
+ Gold: Chocolate Maker
+ Special: Vegan
+ Special: Fermentation additions
Gold: Qantu (Canada) – Morropon 70% (89.8) (**)
+ Gold: Canadian
+ Gold: Chocolate Maker
+ Gold: Direct Traded
Silver: Boho Chocolate (United States) – 70% Dark – Philippines – Kablon Farms (90.3) (**)
Silver: Qantu (Canada) – Chaska 70% (89.5) (**)
Silver: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Limited Release, Yasica Especial (89.3) (**)
+ Special: Limited edition
Silver: Choco Del Mar (United States) – Tsiriari, Peru (89.1) (**)
Silver: Kahkow (United States) – La Esmeralda 67% (89.0) (**)
Silver: Eldora Chocolate (United States) – Mexico Agua Escondida 70% (88.9) (**)
Silver: Kasama Chocolate (Canada) – 70% Kisinga (88.8) (**)
Silver: Tucson Chocolate Factory (United States) – Almendra Blanca 70% (88.8) (**)
Silver: Eldora Chocolate (United States) – Venezuela Chuao 70% (88.6) (**)
Silver: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Signature Line, Esmeraldas (88.6) (**)
Silver: Kasama Chocolate (Canada) – 70% Changzhi (88.6) (**)
Silver: Palette de Bine (Canada) – Maya Mountain, Belize, 72% (88.6) (**)
Silver: Tucson Chocolate Factory (United States) – Alto Beni 70% (88.4) (**)
Silver: Eigen Chocolate (United States) – Ben Tre, Vietnam 70% (88.4) (**)
Silver: Blue Spruce Chocolates (United States) – 72% Dark Alto Beni Beniano (88.1) (**)
Bronze: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Signature Line, Ucayali (87.9) (**)
Bronze: Hazel Hill Chocolate (United States) – 68% Tumaco / Columbia (87.7) (**)
Bronze: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Signature Line, El Carmen (87.3) (**)
Bronze: Dionisia Chocolate (Canada) – 80% Yariguies – Santander Colombia (87.2) (**)
Bronze: Palette de Bine (Canada) – Hawaiʻi, Oʻahu, North Shore, 70% (87.2) (**)
Bronze: Kahkow (United States) – Los Bejucos 65% Cacao (87.2) (**)
Bronze: Evertide Chocolate Maker (Canada) – Semuliki Forest, Uganda 75% Dark (87.1) (**)
Bronze: Chokola Bean to Bar (United States) – Uganda 70 (86.9) (**)
Bronze: Eigen Chocolate (United States) – Amparo Lebaza MicroLot, Huila 70% (86.9) (**)
Bronze: Choco Del Mar (United States) – Alto Beni, Bolivia (86.7) (**)
Bronze: Chokola Bean to Bar (United States) – Tranquilidad, 75% (86.7) (**)
Bronze: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Signature Line, Asochivite (86.6) (**)
Hoog % puur/origine donkere chocoladerepen (85% of meer)
Gold: Kahkow (United States) – Monte Plata 100% (90.0) (**)
+ Gold: Chocolate Maker
+ Gold: Direct Traded
+ Gold: Organic
+ Special: 100%
+ Special: Vegan
Gold: Common Ground Cacao (Canada) – Salitral 100% Intense (90.0) (**)
+ Gold: Chocolate Maker
+ Special: 100%
Silver: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Special Reserve, 100% (89.3) (**)
Bronze: Kasama Chocolate (Canada) – 100% Tupi (86.8) (**)
Bronze: Castronovo Chocolate (United States) – Tumaco, Colombia 85% (86.7) (**)
Pure/origine melk chocoladerepen
Silver: Amano Chocolate (United States) – Ocumare Village (87.5) (**)
Micro-batch – Pure/origine melk chocoladerepen
Gold: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Classic Milk (89.7) (**)
+ Gold: USA
+ Gold: Chocolate Maker
+ Gold: Direct Traded
Silver: Choco Del Mar (United States) – Crema Esmeraldas (87.7) (**)
Silver: Eigen Chocolate (United States) – Dulce del Oso Brown Butter Milk Choc 54% (87.3) (**)
Silver: Kasama Chocolate (Canada) – Goat’s Milk (87.2) (**)
Silver: Honoka’a Chocolate (United States) – Hawaiian Chocolate with Goat Milk 55% (87.2) (**)
Bronze: Templeton Chocolate (United States) – 45% Milk Chocolate – Cusco, Peru (86.7) (**)
Bronze: Qantu (Canada) – Dreams of Cashmere 55% (85.9) (**)
Bronze: Heritage Food Crafters (United States) – 58% Dark Milk (85.8) (**)
Pure/origine alternative chocoladerepen
Gold: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Maker’s Choice, Asochivite with Maple (89.4) (**)
+ Gold: USA
+ Gold: Chocolate Maker
+ Gold: Direct Traded
+ Gold: Alternate sugars
Silver: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Oat Milk (89.0) (**)
+ Gold: Alternate vegan milk
Silver: Choco Del Mar (United States) – Maple Goat (87.6) (**)
Silver: Spinnaker Chocolate (United States) – 58% Haiti Dark Oat Milk with Maple Sugar (87.1) (**)
Silver: Chocolat Voyageur (Canada) – 85% Dominican Republic, Oko Caribe (87.0) (**)
Silver: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Limited Release, Date Me (87.0) (**)
Pure/origine witte chocoladerepen
Silver: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Limited Release, Single Origin White (87.0) (**)
+ Gold: Chocolate Maker
+ Gold: Direct Traded
Bronze: Kasama Chocolate (Canada) – Lait de Chèvre (86.7) (**)
Repen met toegevoegde smaak
Donkere chocoladerepen met een infusie of aroma
Gold: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Maker’s Choice, Caramelized Onion (90.1) (**)
+ Special: Eclectic
Silver: KESSHŌ (United States) – Guava Lime Dark Chocolate (88.9) (**)
Silver: Palette de Bine (Canada) – Piment À L’érable, Vanuatu 75% (88.6) (**)
Silver: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Special Reserve, Brown Butter (88.5) (**)
Silver: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Special Reserve, Putnam Rye Whiskey (88.4) (**)
Silver: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Maker’s Choice, Herbaceous Green Sichuan (88.4) (**)
Silver: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Limited Release, Demon Seed Whiskey (88.3) (**)
Silver: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Limited Release, Spiced Winter Maple (88.1) (**)
Silver: Piety and Desire Chocolate (United States) – 70% Roulaison Rum Bar (87.7) (**)
+ Special: Alcohol
Silver: Palette de Bine (Canada) – Tuttea Frutthai 70% (87.7) (**)
Silver: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Limited Release, Unfiltered Hard Cider (87.5) (**)
Silver: Kasama Chocolate (Canada) – Single Malt (87.2) (**)
Bronze: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Special Reserve, Lawley’s Rum (86.7) (**)
Bronze: Dionisia Chocolate (Canada) – 70% Rum & Anise: Santander Colombia (86.6) (**)
Bronze: The Organic House (Canada) – Mango Chili Dark 70% Nicaragua O’Payo (86.6) (**)
Bronze: Palette de Bine (Canada) – Pérou Marañón + café 70% (86.6) (**)
Bronze: Kasama Chocolate (Canada) – Spring Awakening (86.3) (**)
Bronze: Tucson Chocolate Factory (United States) – Cafecito 59% (86.1) (**)
Bronze: Spinnaker Chocolate (United States) – 70% Belize with Bourbon (85.8) (**)
Bronze: Mazur Chocolates (United States) – Lemongrass and Thai Chili (85.5) (**)
Donkere chocoladerepen met insluitsels of stukjes
Gold: Eldora Chocolate (United States) – Green Chile Biscochito 70% Bar (90.5) (**)
+ Special: Reinterpretation
+ Special: Local ingredients
+ Special: Recipe
Silver: Sleep Walk Chocolateria (United States) – Oaxaca (89.4) (**)
+ Special: Local ingredients
+ Special: Recipe
Silver: Amano Chocolate (United States) – Cardamom Black Pepper (89.3) (**)
Silver: Amano Chocolate (United States) – Raspberry Rose (89.2) (**)
Silver: Flight Chocolate (United States) – Pan de Muerto- 62% (89.2) (**)
Silver: Mindo Chocolate Makers (United States) – 72% Chocolate Maple & Pecan Bar (88.2) (**)
Silver: Eldora Chocolate (United States) – Mole Mole 70% Bar (88.2) (**)
+ Special: Gastronomic
+ Special: Recipe
Silver: Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate (United States) – Lemon Bergamot (87.9) (**)
Silver: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Maker’s Choice, Coffee Crunch (87.9) (**)
Silver: Choco de Léa (Canada) – Labrador Tea, Apple, Caramel dark choco (87.7) (**)
Bronze: Flight Chocolate (United States) – Capirotada- 62% (86.9) (**)
Bronze: Qantu (Canada) – Maple and Fleur de Sel 60% (86.7) (**)
Bronze: Flight Chocolate (United States) – Churro- 64% (86.5) (**)
Bronze: Evertide Chocolate Maker (Canada) – Hot Ginger Lime 75% Dark Chocolate (86.5) (**)
Bronze: Gansett Craft Chocolate (United States) – Lil’ Rhody Sea Salt (86.5) (**)
Bronze: Askinosie Chocolate (United States) – 65% Dark Chocolate + Tart Cherry Bar (86.4) (**)
Bronze: Flight Chocolate (United States) – Mole Negro- 63% (85.9) (**)
Bronze: Flight Chocolate (United States) – Margarita- 65% (85.8) (**)
Donkere chocoladerepen met een vulling
Gold: Sleep Walk Chocolateria (United States) – Miel y Chiltepe (89.2) (**)
+ Special: Recipe
+ Special: Craft
+ Special: Gastronomic
Silver: Sleep Walk Chocolateria (United States) – Mole (87.1) (**)
+ Special: Classic
+ Special: Gastronomic
Bronze: Allo Simonne (Canada) – Amande, Lavande et Pavot (85.7) (**)
Bronze: Allo Simonne (Canada) – Amande, Ananas, Coco (85.5) (**)
Melk chocoladerepen met een infusie of aroma
Gold: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Limited Release, Chocolate Banana Split (89.9) (**)
+ Special: Recipe
Silver: Qantu (Canada) – IPA Style 60% (89.1) (**)
Silver: Kasama Chocolate (Canada) – Earl Grey Tea (87.8) (**)
Silver: Goodnow Farms Chocolate (United States) – Limited Release, Coco Loco (87.4) (**)
Silver: Orinoco Chocolate Co. (United States) – Goat Milk (87.2) (**)
+ Special: Non-cow milk
Silver: Honoka’a Chocolate (United States) – Barrel Aged Rum Bar w/ Coconut Milk 65% (87.1) (**)
Bronze: JACOBEAN Craft Chocolate (Canada) – Liquorice (86.6) (**)
Bronze: Gansett Craft Chocolate (United States) – 60% Dark Milk Lavender (85.5) (**)
Melkchocoladerepen met insluitsels of stukjes
Silver: Ranger Chocolate Co. (United States) – Caribbean Chocolate Bar (87.9) (**)
Silver: Qantu (Canada) – Happiness Bar (87.4) (**)
Bronze: Flight Chocolate (United States) – Horchata- 52% (86.4) (**)
Bronze: Flight Chocolate (United States) – Dulce de Leche- 52% (86.0) (**)
Bronze: Common Ground Cacao (Canada) – Durian Sesame 48% Milk (85.9) (**)
Bronze: Amano Chocolate (United States) – Japanese Sea Salt & Cocoa Nibs (85.5) (**)
Witte chocoladerepen met een infusie of aroma
Gold: Kasama Chocolate (Canada) – Strawberry White (91.7) (**)
+ Special: Local ingredients
Silver: Kasama Chocolate (Canada) – Raspberry White (90.3) (**)
+ Special: Local ingredients
Silver: Kasama Chocolate (Canada) – Blackberry White (88.5) (**)
+ Special: Local ingredients
Silver: JACOBEAN Craft Chocolate (Canada) – Partridge berry (Lingonberry) (87.7) (**)
+ Special: Local ingredients
Bronze: Boho Chocolate (United States) – White Chocolate + Orange Olive Oil (86.1) (**)
Bronze: Kasama Chocolate (Canada) – Calamansi White Chocolate (86.0) (**)
Witte chocoladerepen met insluitsels of stukjes
Gold: Black Jaguar Chocolate (Canada) – White Jaguar Macambo Nibs (89.0) (**)
+ Special: Reinterpretation
+ Special: Alternate theobromas
Silver: KESSHŌ (United States) – Genmaicha White Chocolate (88.0) (**)
Silver: Embers Chocolate (United States) – “Elote” White Chocolate (87.8) (**)
+ Special: Local ingredients
+ Special: Recipe
+ Special: Gastronomic
Bronze: Eldora Chocolate (United States) – Nibs and Cream bar (86.6) (**)
Bronze: Mademoiselle Miel (United States) – Lemon Ginger (85.5) (**)
Bronze: Forte Chocolates (United States) – Lemon Pepper Bar (85.5)
Ganaches, palets, ganache pralines en truffels
Ganaches of truffels van donkere chocolade met toegevoegde smaak
Silver: Garcia Nevett (United States) – Tonka Tamarind (87.3)
Bronze: Faisan chocolates (United States) – Full Moon Truffle (85.9)
Ganaches of truffels met een coating of vulling van gemengde donkere/melk/witte chocolade
Gold: Garcia Nevett (United States) – Vanilla Rum (89.4)
+ Special: Classic
+ Special: Recipe
Bronze: Garcia Nevett (United States) – Popcorn (86.8)
Noten
Donkere chocolade dragees, omhulde hele noten
Silver: Prophecy Chocolate (United States) – Umami Macambo (87.5) (**)
+ Special: Alternate theobromas
+ Special: Recipe
Silver: Prophecy Chocolate (United States) – Maple Glazed Copuazu (87.2) (**)
+ Special: Alternate theobromas
Bronze: Prophecy Chocolate (United States) – Sweet Macambo Beans (85.5) (**)
Nut based pralines with white chocolate
Bronze: KESSHŌ (United States) – Kesshō Black Sesame Butter Cup (86.4) (**)
Karamels
Karamel omhuld met donkere chocolade
Gold: Ranger Chocolate Co. (United States) – Salted Caramel (90.0) (**)
Bronze: Forte Chocolates (United States) – Rosemary Caramel (85.6)
Overige – fruit/suiker/boter/crème
Met donkere chocolade omhuld heel fruit
Gold: Forte Chocolates (United States) – Orange Confit (90.3)
Silver: Forte Chocolates (United States) – Panned Tart Cherries (87.4)
Bronze: Ranger Chocolate Co. (United States) – Dark Chocolate Candied Oranges (85.6) (**)
Smeerpasta
Donkere chocoladepasta (geen melkpoeder)
Bronze: Prophecy Chocolate (United States) – Copuazu Coconut Manna (85.9) (**)
(*) Declared chocolate maker for private label bars.
(**) Winner has declared the product is made with their own bean-to-bar chocolate or couverture.
