TASTY CREATIONS: The 6 Best Artisan Chocolate Bars of the Year for Chocolate Lovers

Each year the International Chocolate Salon tastes scores of artisan chocolate bars from around the world. The goal is to discover the Best Chocolate Bars of the Year. Even though this has been a challenging time due to COVID-19, the judges were able to make their choices, mostly because they say that the bar selections were so amazing.

If you have a taste for great chocolate, and possibly even for a little luxurious edible gold on top of it, then these 6 top-ranked award-winning bars should be on the top of your list.

The 6 Best Artisan Chocolate Bars of the Year

GOLD MEDAL

  • Michael’s Chocolates Bourbon Caramel Pecan Barre

SILVER MEDAL

  • Panache Chocolatier Columbian Gold Bar
  • Wildwood Chocolate Honey Cardamom Caramel

BRONZE MEDAL

Baetz Chocolates Return of the Bison

HONORABLE MENTION

Michael’s Chocolates Hazelnut Crunch Bar
Delysia Chocolatier Wine & Cherries Chocolate Bark

 

2020 Chocolate Salon Ambassadors Honored for their Support of Artisan Chocolate

In honor of their support for and contribution to artisan chocolate during the Summer 2020 Virtual Chocolate Salon Panels, TasteTV and the International Chocolate SalonInternational Chocolate Salon has designated each of the panelists and moderators who participated as:

HONORARY CHOCOLATE SALON AMBASSADORS

We congratulate and thank each of them!

  • Amy Sherman food writer
  • Art Pollard of Amano Artisan Chocolate
  • Barbie Van Horn of Finding Fine Chocolate
  • Ben Glass of The Good Chocolate
  • Charly Kayle radio host and food writer
  • Cindy Wong Chen of China Live
  • David Gambill of Sonoma Chocolatiers
  • Elisia Otavi of Raphio Chocolate
  • Elyce Zahn of CocoTutti
  • Erin Andrews of Indi Chocolate
  • Joey Garcia author
  • Julie House of Panache Chocolatier
  • Karen Urbanek of Flying Noir
  • Kimberly Yang of Formosa Chocolates
  • Margaret King of Magnolia Chocolatier
  • Michael Benner of Michael’s Chocolates
  • Michael Poole of Hot Chocolat
  • Phillip Ashley Rix of Phillip Ashley Chocolates
  • Robert Bowden of Vivere Chocolates
  • Seth Bain of the Confectionist
  • Syovata Edari of CocoVaa Chocolatier
  • Tonet Tibay of Marti Chocolatt
  • Wendy Lieu of Socola Chocolatier

 

TasteTV Partners with Cision’s PRWeb for Business Press Release Promotion

FOR PRESS RELEASES AND IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Cision has created a special press release package in honor of the TasteTV events, partners, awards, and fans so that you can economically announce any of your achievements or partnerships.

Everyone is invited. This 15% discount applies to any Basic, Advanced, or Premium press release distribution through PR Web. To enjoy this promotion, new users should go to this PRWeb site to register, then login at app.prweb.com, and enter: Promo code (15% OFF): TASTE2021

If you are an existing PRWeb customer, you can login as usual at https://app.prweb.com/Login.aspx and then use the TASTE2021 promo code.

 

Virtual Chocolate Salon Panel: In Conversation Self-Taught Chocolatiers

TasteTV and the International Chocolate Salon in conversation with award-winning Self-Taught Chocolatiers about their creative inspirations business challenges, including tips for great chocolate, flavor profiles, travels, and tips for success. Discover and support these great artisans!

Featuring panelists such as Seth Bain of the Confectionist, Karen Urbanek of Flying Noir, David Gambill of Sonoma Chocolatiers, and moderator Charly Kayle.

This educational panel is free to attend.

Watch the full recorded panel below

 

Tasty Food & Drink Sampled at the TASTE AWARDS Red Carpet in Beverly Hills

TASTING THE BEST

VIP Guests had great wine, sparkling cider, and other gourmet items to sample at the TASTE AWARDS Red Carpet reception in Beverly Hills.

Gowan’s Heirloom Cider

The red carpet reception included sparkling cider from Gowan’s Heirloom Cider and R&B Cellars 2012 “Lyric of the Vine” Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet

Tastings were served by ChocoMe chocolates and Prosciutto di Carpegna, who served freshly carved prosciutto at a tasting station during the reception portion of the TASTE AWARDS event in Beverly Hills.


Prosciutto di Carpegna

Prosciutto di Carpegna carving station

ChocoMe

In addition, guests were able to snack on healthy gourmet selections from Regenie’s Natural Snacks, Snackin Free, and Saffron Road

Regenie’s All Natural Snacks, Snackin Free, and Saffron Road Chickpea Snacks

Regenie’s All Natural Snacks

The Best Chocolate Gifts Collections for Valentines

There is a lot of great chocolate to chose from for romantic times such as Valentine’s Day.  It’s a lot easier to chose when you select from three that are top award winners

Panache Chocolatier “With Love” Valentine’s Day Truffle Collection

GOLD MEDAL

Judges Summary:

Panache wins the gold with their incredible with Love Box, which not only comes with a wood veneer box and ribbon, but also with a custom pamphlet that describes the providence and history of each of the chocolates. These chocolates include ruby passion from Brazil, pistachio rose from Spain, raspberry noir from France, and spiced vanilla being from Madagascar. Of course the spherical design of these chocolates is very truffle-like, and they are each topped with a unique design, whether that is gold leaf, spices, or chocolate drizzle and cocoa powder. What is truly phenomenal about this collection is that the box extends outwards into three tiers, one of which contains the pamphlet, and the other two of which contain nine chocolates each, for a total of 18 chocolates. This gift is one that you want to be there forwhen it is opened, and once opened, you want to put it on display. Or at least, post a lot of photographs on Instagram.

From the chocolatier –

“Hand crafted, artisan truffles highlighting flavors from around the world.
Focus is on bringing flavors identified with regions and creating with a twist of uniqueness.
All created “With Love” by PanacheChocolatier”

chocolatekc.com

Craft-Chocolate Sweetheart

 

SILVER MEDAL

Judges Summary:

The Craft-Chocolate hazelnut and milk chocolate Irish cream is delicious and beautifully presented. The box design is simple yet elegant, and we love how the ribbon criss-crosses the heart in contrast with the arrangement of subtle pastel dots. The inside of the box is composed of two layers — two rows of chocolates — that are shaped like hearts and flowers. These caramels are a delicious luxury. The judges also loved the size of the packaging, which can be easily held in one hand but is substantial enough to be considered as a thoughtful splurge and gift.

From the chocolatier – 

“This Valentine gift gives heart shaped sweet chocolate to the one you hold sweet in your heart.”

https://www.craft-chocolate.com

Bella Sophia Chocolates Valentine’s Day Mix Box

 

BRONZE MEDAL

Judges Summary:

Bella Sophia‘s Valentine’s Day packaging is a gift within a gift. The outside artist paper is carefully folded and wrapped, while the box underneath features Bella Sophia’s trademark quilted box design. Inside of the box is delicate gold wrapping paper, which gives a sense of elegance and luxury. The gold is also reflected in some of the gold leaf that adorns various chocolates within. This box contains a variety of 16 chocolates, enough for the giver and the recipient to share together. They demonstrate a range of molding styles and chocolate techniques, as well as flavors, and colors. There is no chance of getting bored with this collection.

From the chocolatier – 

“Our mix box for Valentines day has a flavor for every chocolate lover in this box, with some hand painted bonbons, dark, milk, white, truffle, gianduja, nutted and pale d’or and hand dipped ganache.”

www.bellasophiachocolates.com