Welcome to the Academy of Chocolate Awards 2026
The Awards recognise and showcase the world’s most talented chocolate producers and the finest chocolate products. Now celebrating 21 years of being the benchmark for current chocolate trends, the Awards are strictly judged by carefully selected experts and the winners are eligible for Gold, Silver and Bronze certificates. All entries receive personal feedback notes at the end of the Awards,
Take a look here…
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR ENTERING THE AWARDS
In order to enter the Awards correctly, please carefully read the following (even if you have entered the awards before as there are changes you will need to know).
- TERMS & CONDITIONS : Read the Terms and Conditions of entry into the awards
- CATEGORIES : we have no less than 26 categories this year.
The category you entered last year might have different requirements so please ensure that you have read and understood under which category to enter each product. Please note that once submitted we cannot change the category that the product has been entered under..Click here for information about each category.
- SUBMIT ENTRIES : When you are ready to enter your product(s) - you will need to:
Create an account for your organisation - Fill out the submission details for each product - ensuring you have the correct category for each product
- Once completed, you will receive an individual code for each product entered this. Please ensure you include this code on each product sent.
- PACKING & DELIVERY : please note the dates (see below) that products must be delivered within.
Your entries need to be packed securely for delivery either within the UK or from outside the UK. Click here for more information on how to pack and deliver your entries.
REGISTRATION & DELIVERY DATES BY CATEGORY:
For more information on each category specification click here .
Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Bars
Register
for this category between 17 August 2026 and 22 September 2026
Samples
to be delivered between 2 September 2026 and 25 September 2026
- [BPD] - Bean-To-Bar Plain Dark Chocolate Bar
- [BPM] - Bean-To-Bar Plain Milk Chocolate Bar
- [BPW] - Bean-To-Bar Plain White Chocolate Bar
- [BLD] - Bean-To-Bar Flavoured Dark Chocolate Bar
- [BLM] - Bean-To-Bar Flavoured Milk Chocolate Bar
- [BLW] - Bean-To-Bar Flavoured White Chocolate Bar
Couverture Chocolate Bars
Register
for this category between 17 August 2026 and 22 September 2026
Samples
to be delivered between 2 September 2026 and 25 September 2026
- [CCD] - Couverture Plain/Unflavoured Dark Chocolate Bar
- [CCM] - Couverture Plain/Unflavoured Milk Chocolate Bar
- [CCW] - Couverture Plain/Unflavoured White Chocolate Bar
- [CLD] - Couverture Flavoured Dark Chocolate Bar
- [CLM] - Couverture Flavoured Milk Chocolate Bar
- [CLW] - Couverture Flavoured White Chocolate Bar
Filled/Enrobed chocolates
Register
for this category between 17 August 2026 and 16 October 2026
Samples
to be delivered between 9 October 2026 and 23 October 2026
- [FPG] - Plain Ganache Bonbons & Truffles
- [FLG] - Ganache Flavoured with Alcohol, Fruit, Spices and/or Inclusions
- [FCB] - Caramel-Based Bonbons
- [FNU] -Nut-Based Chocolates
- [FPA] - Panned & Enrobed Products
Chocolate Drinks
Register
for this category between 17 August 2026 and 16 October 2026
Samples
to be delivered between 2 September 2026 and 23 October 2026
- [DPC] - Plain Chocolate Drinks
- [DLC] - Flavoured Chocolate Drinks
Spreads
Register
for this category between 17 August 2026 and 16 October 2026
Samples
to be delivered between 2 September 2026 and 23 October 2026
- [SDC] - Dark Chocolate Spreads
- [SMC] - Milk Chocolate Spreads
Brand Experience
Register
for this category between 17 August 2026 and 16 October 2026
Samples
to be delivered between 2 September 2026 and 23 October 2026
- [XPB] - Chocolate Bar Wrappers Collection
- [XPC] - Product Collection Design
- [XPN] - Brand Presentation & Corporate Gifting
Students Category
The following two categories are only open to students currently studying at catering colleges / institutions. Please note the different deadlines for bars and filled chocolates.
Register
for this category between 17 August 2026 and 16 October 2026
Samples
to be delivered between 9 October 2026 and 23 October 2026
- [ZCB] - Students Category: Flavoured Chocolate Bars
- [ZFC] - Students Category: Filled Chocolates
