2026 San Francisco Chocolate Awards Announced

JUDGES AWARDS

The Honored Judges of the San Francisco International Chocolate Salon 2026 have released the results of their voting and top picks for this annual culinary event.

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• Deux Cranes
• Indya Chocolatier LLC
• Stay Sweet SF

• aL chocoLat Boutique
• VB Fine Chocolates
• Socola Chocolatier
• Cacao Regina
• CocoTutti Chocolates
• Finca Manatiales

• aL chocoLat Boutique

• Indya Chocolatier LLC
• Stay Sweet SF

• CocoTutti Chocolates
• Sonoma Chocolatiers

• Deux Cranes
• Finca Manatiales
• Kate's Single Batch Toffee
• VB Fine Chocolates
• Volo Chocolate

• Volo Chocolate
• 9th & Larkin

• Deux Cranes
• Cacao Regina

• Volo Chocolate

• 9th & Larkin
• Finca Manatiales
• Socola Chocolatier

• Volo Chocolate

• Sonoma Chocolatiers
• vany's handcrafted chocolates

• Socola Chocolatier
• Cacao Regina

• Kate's Single Batch Toffee
• The Toffee Merchant

• p.o.p. candy co.

• NA

• Indya Chocolatier LLC

• aL chocoLat Boutique

• Kate's Single Batch Toffee
• Volo Chocolate
• Godavari Chocolate / Bon Fiction

• VB Fine Chocolates
• Socola Chocolatier
• 9th & Larkin
• p.o.p. candy co.
• Cacao Regina
• Fabula Tea
• Hapa Chocolat
• Rayluca Chocolate
• The Chaga Company

• Dough It Up! Bakery
• Z. Cioccolato

• Kate's Single Batch Toffee
• p.o.p. candy co.
• Brigadeiro Sprinkles
• COBA

• Ashby Confections

• aL chocoLat Boutique
• Deux Cranes
• Finca Manatiales
• Indya Chocolatier LLC
• The Toffee Merchant
• vany's handcrafted chocolates
• VB Fine Chocolates

• Blue Canary Sweets LLC
• Dough It Up! Bakery
• Fabula Tea
• Formosa Chocolates
• Goufrais
• Kate's Single Batch Toffee
• Nokki Farm
• Stay Sweet SF

• Indya Chocolatier LLC
• Stay Sweet SF

• Cacao Regina

Kate's was outstanding!

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VB Fine Chocolates outdid itself with a wonderful collection "the Art of Tea in Chocolate." Lavender and Earl Grey Tea is a definite winner, however... on a second thought, it's a tie with Yuzu and Matcha Tea! Great job, and way to go, VB!

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So exciting were the flavor combinations from Indya, Stay Sweet SF, Deux Cranes, ai.chocolate boutique and Formosa Chocolates. Socola remains a favorite for breadth of product and variety of combinations and consistent high quality over many years. Indya's representation of the country's regional products was illuminating and absolutely delicious. Kudos to all. This twentieth SF Chocolate Salon was an impressive reflection in the growth of artisan chocolate creativity over these past two decades.

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COBA Espresso chocolate bar was a great spark of strong balanced espresso flavor in a chocolate bar. You don't need to drink your espresso, just nibble and get both your chocolate and caffeine fix in one bar.

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You can't go wrong with any of the Cacao Regina bars, but the stand outs included: 40% dark milk guanduia, 51% dark milk mocha, 70% Ucayali River, and 100% Costa Esmeraldas (so smooth and edible).

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Exciting new entry to the North American chocolate market is Finca Manatiales, bean to bar from Ecuador. All their bar blends were flavorful, rich, smooth and creamy. A testament to wonderful conching is seen in the 100% bar which is so smooth, flavorful with no hint of bitterness.

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Thank you Formosa Chocolates for the wonderful and innovative flavor combinations and execution of perfect truffles. My favorite truffles included: salted caramel, passionfruit, coffee; and the incredible tea chocolate bars included: lychee passionfruit, earl grey, and Bangtea GABA oolong.

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Socola Chocolatier amazes every time with new innovative, creative flavor combinations. Their magic with a Durian truffle brings out the best of everything in this intriguing fruit.

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If you want the peanut butter and jam truffle experience, you'll want Stay Sweet SF's truffle. A PBJ lover's dream truffle.

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Volvo Chocolate does not disappointment with their amazing chocolate bars. Each different flavor is well balanced, flavorful and true. Totally worth the effort to find and indulge. I'm unable to identify a favorite because I love them all.

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Indya Chocolatiers --amazing flavors, and I thought the map of India with the special flavors from those regions was wonderful...a history lesson with truffles. I also loved the 'stages of love'... great company! Vany's jaggery took me back to my younger days in India. Comforting, unique, and delicious. Socola never fails to impress. Thanks to Socola's main chocolatier I tried the durian. Fabulous! Who knew? Thanks, Socola! Deux Crane's Mimosa Orange was terrific.So hard to judge this Salon's offerings. This was one of the best shows ever! Happy 20th!

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Indya Chocolatiers had an attention getting map, story and flavors. All of the samples were delicious and the stories entertaining. Vany's jaggery captured my appreciation for a new way of thinking about chocolate. Every sample of Stay Sweet SF was outstandingc.Z Cioccolato is my go to comfort chocolate. Cacao Regina had a full range of compelling chocolate bars. I greatly appreciate the three kinds of chocolate in the Toffee Merchant's sample. Social had durian and it was remarkably good. Durian has a reputation for a different kind of smell. Papa's name and single origin were both exceptional. Deux Cranes's Mimosa Orange was so satisfying. Formosa's passion fruits superb. Godavari's Lost in an Orange was well worth it. In general, there were many creative chocolatiers and engaging stories.

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Excited to see Indya become a breakout brand known for unabashedly bold, evocative/nostalgic flavors developed with exquisite precision in artistry and taste! All the best!

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PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS

The Attendees of the San Francisco International Chocolate Salon 2026 have released the results of their voting and top picks for this annual culinary event.

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• Deux Cranes

• Formosa Chocolates

• Deux Cranes
• Stay Sweet SF

• Formosa Chocolates

• Stay Sweet SF

• CocoTutti Chocolates

• Goufrais
• Finca Manatiales

• Socola Chocolatier
• Volo Chocolate
• Sonoma Chocolatiers
• Blue Canary Sweets LLC

• Deux Cranes
• VB Fine Chocolates
• Cacao Regina

• 9th & Larkin

• Finca Manatiales
• Volo Chocolate

• Kate's Single Batch Toffee

• The Toffee Merchant

• p.o.p. candy co.

• Kindred Caramels

• Sonoma Chocolatiers
• Rayluca Chocolate

• CocoTutti Chocolates
• Stay Sweet SF
• Formosa Chocolates

• The Toffee Merchant
• Indya Chocolatier LLC
• 9th & Larkin
• Volo Chocolate
• Goufrais
• aL chocoLat Boutique
• Fabula Tea