After intense tasting, New Zealand’s best chocolates have been named, with award – winners from Matakana to Queenstown. The top chocolates – many sharing the theme of being unique to New Zealand – use local ingredients such as Manuka honey or incorporating Kiwi favourites such as hokey pokey or Central Otago Pinot Noir.
Judging was held at The Fresh Factory, Auckland on Wednesday 12 September. The panel comprised of 15 of this country’s top food experts led by Head Judge, Elle Coco (Crocker) who assessed 135 New Zealand made chocolates.
The 48 medal winners consist of 15 Gold Medals, 17 Silver Medals and 16 Bronze Medals.
Gold Medal winners in the bean to bar section, chocolate makers who import cacao and make their own chocolate are:
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Gold Medal winners Marina and Karl Hogarth. Hogarth Craft Chocolate, Buttered Toast & Sea Salt
- Hogarth Craft Chocolate, Manuka Honey & Cocoa Nib
- Hogarth Craft Chocolate, Sarsaparilla & Candied Orange
- OCHO Limited, 100% Cacao Solomons, Bean-to-bar Chocolate Bars, Dark Chocolate Bar
- OCHO Limited, 75% Cacao Fiji, Bean-to-bar Chocolate Bars, Dark Chocolate Bar
Other Gold Medal winners across all categories are:
- Honest Chocolat, Manuka Honey Chocolate Tablet
- House of Chocolate, Banana & Hokey Pokey organic Dark Chocolate Bar
- Choco Loco, A Currant Affair
- Devonport Chocolates, Hauraki Salted Caramel Chocolate
- House of Chocolate, Caramelised Hazelnut Gianduja Bonbon
- Schoc Chocolates, Blackberry and Vanilla
- Sublime Chocolates, Akarua Pinot Noir Bonbon
- The Chocolate Workshop, Passionfruit Bonbon
- She Universe, Decadent Date
- Hogarth, Hazelnut Spread
Head judge Elle Coco says “I’m thrilled to see the talent and craftsmanship of this year’s entrants, some of whom already have international recognition – and some who will no doubt gain such recognition in the future.
“With such a great array of entries it’s been a real challenge determining this year’s winners. But with a panel of expert judges across the food industry, we’ve achieved the mammoth task of determining the most inspiring and worthy winners for 2018!
Winners of the Best Packaging Awards and Best in Class Awards including the 2018 Supreme Champion will be announced on Thursday 4 October, ahead of the NZ Chocolate and Coffee Show at The Cloud in Auckland’s CBD on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 October.
The NZ Chocolate Awards are supported by Fresh.co.nz, Intermedia NZ, Marvellous Marketing, Label & Litho, NZ Life & Leisure and Antipodes.
NZ CHOCOLATE AWARDS 2018 MEDAL WINNERS
BEAN TO BAR
Bean-to-bar Flavoured
GOLD MEDAL
Hogarth Craft Chocolate, Buttered Toast & Sea Salt- Hogarth Craft Chocolate, Manuka Honey & Cocoa Nib
- Hogarth Craft Chocolate, Sarsaparilla & Candied Orange
SILVER MEDAL
- Wellington Chocolate Factory, Coconut Milk Chocolate
BRONZE MEDAL
- Wellington Chocolate Factory, ANZAC Bar
Bean-to-bar Chocolate Bars, Dark
GOLD MEDAL
OCHO Limited, 100% Cacao Solomons, Bean-to-bar Chocolate Bars, Dark Chocolate Bar- OCHO Limited, 75% Cacao Fiji, Bean-to-bar Chocolate Bars, Dark Chocolate Bar
SILVER MEDAL
- Hogarth Craft Chocolate, Peru
Bean-to-bar Chocolate Bars, Milk
SILVER MEDAL
- Chocolatier Mirams, 49% Samoan dark milk chocolate tablet
FLAVOURED CHOCOLATE BARS
GOLD MEDAL
Honest Chocolat, Manuka Honey Chocolate Tablet- House of Chocolate, Banana & Hokey Pokey organic Dark Chocolate Bar
SILVER MEDAL
- The Remarkable Chocolate Co, 70% Dark Chocolate, Ginger and Salted Caramel
BRONZE MEDAL
- Bennetts of Mangawhai, Plum Crumble
- La Petite Chocolat, 56% Dark with Orange and Sesame
- She Universe, Awaken Me, 58% Cacao, Caramelised Hazelnut, Cacao and Vanilla
- Schoc Chocolates, NOEL
- Trade Aid, SALT TOFFEE CRISP 70% Cocoa Dark Organic Chocolate
FILLED CHOCOLATE
GOLD MEDAL
- Choco Loco, A Currant Affair
- Devonport Chocolates, Hauraki Salted Caramel Chocolate
- House of Chocolate, Caramelised Hazelnut Gianduja Bonbon
- Schoc Chocolates, Blackberry and Vanilla
- Sublime Chocolates, Akarua Pinot Noir Bon
- The Chocolate Workshop, Passionfruit Bonbon
SILVER MEDAL
- Bennetts of Mangawhai, Sesame Caramel in Dark Chocolate
- Bennetts of Mangawhai, Hazelnut Praline
- Honest Chocolat, Espresso Martini Bonbon
- Honest Chocolat and Batch 10, Honey Bourbon
- Honest Chocolat, Raspberry and Pink Peppercorn Caramel
- House of Chocolate, Bourbon Butterscotch Caramel Bonbon
- House of Chocolate, Banoffee Bonbon
BRONZE MEDAL
- Aroha Chocolate, Raspberry Truffle
- Bennetts of Mangawhai, Vanilla Truffle
- She Universe, Open Sesame
- Vaniyé Patisserie, Praline Bar
CHOCOLATE PRODUCTS INCLUDING BARK OR BRITTLE/DIPPED FRUIT & NUTS
BARK OR BRITTLE
SILVER MEDAL
- The Remarkable Chocolate Company, Organic Dark Chocolate Bark with Roasted Almonds and Crispy Quinoa
- The Remarkable Chocolate Company, Organic Dark Chocolate Bark with Marshmallow, Toasted Coconut and Raspberries
DIPPED FRUIT & NUTS
GOLD MEDAL
- She Universe, Decadent Date
SILVER MEDAL
- House of Chocolate, Caramelised Nut Dragées
BRONZE MEDAL
- She Universe, Chocolate Rolled Cacao Bean
DRINKING CHOCOLATE
SILVER MEDAL
- Weta Coffee Limited, Weta Hot Chocolate
BRONZE MEDAL
- West Coast Cocoa, Peppermint Hot Chocolate
- Trade Aid, Organic Drinking Chocolate
- Vaniyé Patisserie, Caramelised Dark Hot Chocolate
BEST NZ MADE PRODUCT USING CHOCOLATE
GOLD MEDAL
- Hogarth Craft Chocolate, Hazelnut Spread
SILVER MEDAL
- She Universe, Chocolate Brownie of Chocolate Brownies
- Apero Cambridge, Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
BRONZE MEDAL
- Sweetie Pie, Chocolate Cake
- Forty Thieves, Hazelnut Crunch with Organic Cocoa
