chocolate news – International Chocolate Salon and Artisan Chocolate Awards

San Francisco International CHOCOLATE SALON returns for 20th Year on March 28, 2026

February 24, 2026February 28, 2026 by The Chocolate Salon Comment Closed

Chocolate lovers, get ready for a world of premium chocolate! The Original and Premier Artisan Chocolate Festival on the West Coast takes place this Spring at the 20th Annual San Francisco International CHOCOLATE SALON, March 28, 2026 at the Country Fair Building’s Hall of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. Returning for a 20th year, the San Francisco International CHOCOLATE SALON participants includes chocolatiers, confectioners and other culinary artisans throughout the entire 1-Day event in the heart of the City. Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, lovers and addicts can taste & experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world’s great culinary metropolitan areas. www.SFChocolateSalon.com This year’s San Francisco CHOCOLATE SALON has an exciting lineup of chocolatiers, confectioners and more. ...

Los Angeles CHOCOLATE SALON Returns in October 5, 2025

September 1, 2025 by The Chocolate Salon Comment Closed

Great news, after a two year hiatus, the 16th Annual Los Angeles CHOCOLATE SALON returns on October 5, 2025! The original and premier artisan chocolate show in Southern California returns this year, the annual Los Angeles CHOCOLATE SALON, in Pasadena. Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, buyers and journalists can experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world’s great culinary metropolitan areas. Featuring a delicious selection chosen and curated by the Organizers, the Annual CHOCOLATE SALON & FESTIVAL participants have included master chocolatiers, confectioners, and other culinary artisans. Salon highlights feature chocolate tasting, demonstrations, chef & author talks, and ongoing interviews by TasteTV’s Chocolate Television program. (Salon Entry includes all chocolate tastings, demos, etc.). The is the international chocolate festival not to miss! When: October 5, 2025 10:00am – 3:30pm Where: The Pasadena Center 300 Green Street Pasadena, CA 91109 www.LAChocolateSalon.com...

San Francisco Chocolate Week arrives September 20-28th

September 1, 2025September 1, 2025 by The Chocolate Salon Comment Closed

A Region-Wide Celebration of Sweet Discoveries September 20–28, 2025 Get ready, San Francisco Bay Area — Chocolate Week is coming! For one decadent week, explore 20+ of the Bay Area’s finest chocolate shops, bakeries, restaurants, cafés, and bars with your very own digital Chocolate Passport. ✨ Unlock exclusive perks, like unique truffles, 2-for-1 chocolate cocktails, artisan dessert samples, and VIP discounts — just by showing up, scanning a QR code, and signing in. It’s delicious, it’s local, and it’s the sweetest way to experience the SF Bay Area. Passports are just $10 — or upgrade to VIP for even more treats and prizes. Scan, Taste, Repeat.Let the chocolate adventure begin. www.SFChocolateWeek.com...

Meet Chocolatier Michael Recchiuti of Recchiuti Confections

March 23, 2025 by The Chocolate Salon Comment Closed

Meet Master Chocolatier multi-award winning chocolatier Michael Recchiuti of Recchiuti Confections at the 2025 San Francisco Chocolate Salon on April 6th. Michael will be doing one on one talk with Salon attendees Michael Recchiuti is a master chocolatier and the visionary behind Recchiuti Confections, a renowned San Francisco-based artisanal chocolate company. With a passion for blending traditional European techniques with innovative flavor pairings, Recchiuti has elevated chocolate-making into an art form. Since founding his company in 1997, he has been celebrated for his meticulous craftsmanship, using only the finest ingredients to create confections that balance complexity and elegance. His signature burnt caramel truffles and adventurous flavor infusions have earned him a devoted following, solidifying his reputation as one of the most respected chocolatiers in the industry. Recchiuti's contributions to the culinary world have been widely recognized. His book, "Chocolate Obsession," co-authored with pastry expert Fran Gage, was a finalist at the 2006 James Beard Awards and received high honors for photography and...

Chocolate and Wine Cruise on SF Bay: May 6th – the Coronation Cruise

April 18, 2023April 26, 2023 by The Chocolate Salon Comment Closed

Join us May 6, 2023 for the Chocolate & Wine CRUISE on San Francisco Bay onboard a luxury yacht, where you will taste wines and chocolates. Taking place before both Mother's Day and by coincidence on the same day as King Charle's Coronation, so we're calling it the "Coronation Cruise"! (and everyone gets a limited edition button) The day's adventure takes place onboard a luxury yacht, where you will taste wines from a local winemaker, along with samples from a curated selection of local chocolate, toffee, and wine. Walk among the various artisans and experience their latest creations. Explore and luxuriate on the yacht, and enjoy it all during the 2 1/2-hour cruise on the San Francisco Bay. Then take home some of that great food and wine you've discovered and purchased onboard for continued enjoyment. EXCLUSIVE: The Chocolate & Wine Cruise is Limited to only a 100 attendees GET TICKETS HERE. 1:00-3:30pm (yacht sets off at 1pm SHARP). Must be over 21 years of age. WATCH THE VIDEO! READ THIS INFORMATION...

The Best Vegan Chocolate of 2022 and Awards Winners Announced

June 24, 2022June 29, 2022 by The Chocolate Salon Comment Closed

We are proud to present the results of the 2022 VEGAN CHOCOLATE AWARDS Competition. The International Chocolate Salon Awards for the 2022 VEGAN CHOCOLATE AWARDS are based on the combined total number of votes received by each entrant from the Judging Panel. The Judging Panel consists of National and Regional Magazines, Newspaper and Blog Editors, plus Topic Experts, Local Chefs and Food Gurus. The award winners below have the honor of being able to display and use the Official Award Winner title and award logos, as well as use items (such as the Award Winner lapel pin), as well as use Custom Award Certificates, and logo award merchandise. 2022 VEGAN CHOCOLATE AWARD RESULTS Best Ingredient Combinations GOLD Amano Chocolate Citrus Mélange À Trois Codinha Chocolate LLC Vegan Fruit and Nut Bar SILVER Suadella Chocolatier LLC 4 oz assortment BRONZE Coco Jolie Chocolate Bonbon Collection Cocoa Community Confections Inc. Black Currrant Pomegranate Quince Delysia Chocolatier Indian flair - mango garam masala, chai ginger cardamom Sonoma Chocolatiers Peanut Butter Bliss Sonoma Chocolatiers Almond Hazelnut Nosh Treat Dreams Lamington bar Treat...

Chocolate & Wine CRUISE on San Francisco Bay, April 23rd

February 6, 2022February 7, 2022 by The Chocolate Salon Comment Closed

Join us for the Chocolate & Wine CRUISE on San Francisco Bay onboard a luxury yacht, where you will taste wines and chocolates The day's adventure takes place onboard a luxury yacht, where you will taste wines from a local winemaker, along with samples from a curated selection of local chocolate, toffee, and wine. Walk among the various artisans and experience their latest creations. Explore and luxuriate on the yacht, and enjoy it all during the 2 1/2-hour cruise on the San Francisco Bay. Then take home some of that great food and wine you've discovered and purchased onboard for continued enjoyment. EXCLUSIVE: The Chocolate & Wine Cruise is Limited to only a 100 attendees GET TICKETS HERE. 1:00-3:30pm (yacht sets off at 1pm SHARP). Must be over 21 years of age. Proof of Prior COVID Vaccination Required. WATCH THE VIDEO! READ THIS INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO USE YOUR ADVANCE TICKET 1. Purchase Advance Tickets 2. Your purchased ticket or tickets are reserved for you. Please bring your ticket confirmation sheet with you to Will Call...

2021 Awards for Best Chocolatiers and Confectioners in America Announced

February 22, 2021February 22, 2021 by The Chocolate Salon Comment Closed

The International Chocolate Salon is pleased to announce the 2021 award winners for the title BEST CHOCOLATIERS AND CONFECTIONERS IN AMERICA The International Chocolate Salon Awards for the Best Chocolatiers and Confectioners in America*** are based on the combined total number of Gold and Silver Awards and plus 4.5/4.0/3.5 star ratings received by each entrant in the previous year's TasteTV Chocolate Salons in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Sacramento, and Fall (SF), as well as in the standalone International Chocolate Salon Award Competitions for Best Caramels, Best Toffees, Top Chocolate Bars, Truffles, White Chocolate, Best Hot Cocoa and Drinking Chocolate, Vegan Chocolates, Spicy Chocolates, Top Design and Branding, and Best Valentine's Chocolates. ***NOTE: This was a unique year, in that many awards from live events were not issued, as COVID postponed many live Chocolate Salon events where awards would be earned. As such, this year's list is primarily comprised of high-ranking awards from various chocolate category competitions in which shipped submissions are judged. This...