These competitions included a panel of talented and experienced judges tasting a variety of ingredient combinations, chocolate sources, and creativity. The judging panel consists of national and regional magazines, newspaper and blog editors, topic experts, local chefs, and food gurus.

"The International Chocolate Salon was the first North America-based organization to produce international chocolate awards & widespread live tasting events honoring artisan chocolatiers and confectioners," said ICS leadership. "We recognize that these awards and events are very important for many makers, fans, and admirers, and we strive to continue to support the community and the creators as we have since 2007."

Established in 2007, TasteTV International Chocolate Salon is one of the premier international bodies celebrating and honoring artisan and premium chocolates and confections.

Caramels

Best Caramel Exterior Design

Gold
Kokak Chocolates Tropical Caramel Chocolate Truffle Collection

Silver
Delysia Chocolatier Deconstructed Sweets: Cheesecake, Toffee, Spiced Muffin, Spiced Dulce de Leche

Bronze
Sonoma Chocolatiers Tea Time Caramel/truffle

Honorable Mention
CocoTutti Chocolates Chocolate Blood Orange Caramel
Delysia Chocolatier Cookie Dough Chocolate Truffles
Dolce Lusso Confections Honey & Cardamom Caramel
Panache Chocolatier Lavender Bourbon Caramel

Best Ingredient Combinations

Gold
Panache Chocolatier Lavender Bourbon Caramel
CocoTutti Chocolates Cappuccino Espresso Hazelnut Caramel

Silver
Kokak Chocolates Tropical Caramel Chocolate Truffle Collection
CocoTutti Chocolates Chocolate Blood Orange Caramel
Dolce Lusso Confections Honey & Cardamom Caramel
Kansas City Caramels Cherry Almond Caramel
Panache Chocolatier Fall Spice Caramel

Bronze
Delysia Chocolatier Deconstructed Sweets: Cheesecake, Toffee, Spiced Muffin, Spiced Dulce de Leche
Kwoka caramel Dark Chocolate Orange Caramel
Virtuoso Confections Salted Espresso Caramel Bar

Honorable Mention
Carson’s Caramels Danish Salty Licorice
Dolce Lusso Confections Pumpkin Spice Caramel
Carson’s Caramels ButterRum
Carson’s Caramels Peppermint
Sonoma Chocolatiers Hot Buttered Rum Caramel
Virtuoso Confections Gingerbread Caramel Bar

Best Taste

Gold
Kwoka caramel Dark Chocolate Orange Caramel

Silver
CocoTutti Chocolates Cappuccino Espresso Hazelnut Caramel
CocoTutti Chocolates Chocolate Blood Orange Caramel
Delysia Chocolatier Deconstructed Sweets: Cheesecake, Toffee, Spiced Muffin, Spiced Dulce de Leche
Sonoma Chocolatiers Hot Buttered Rum Caramel

Bronze
Panache Chocolatier Lavender Bourbon Caramel
Kokak Chocolates Tropical Caramel Chocolate Truffle Collection
Dolce Lusso Confections Honey & Cardamom Caramel
Kansas City Caramels Cherry Almond Caramel
Panache Chocolatier Fall Spice Caramel
Sonoma Chocolatiers London Fog Caramel/truffle

Honorable Mention
Amazing Caramel Company Espresso
Kansas City Caramels Proper Caramel
Stella's Confectionery Stella's Sea Salt Caramel

Best Packaging (External)

Gold
Delysia Chocolatier Deconstructed Sweets: Cheesecake, Toffee, Spiced Muffin, Spiced Dulce de Leche

Silver
Brigadeiro Sprinkles Ruby Passion Fruit Brigadeiro

Bronze
Kwoka caramel Dark Chocolate Orange Caramel
Kokak Chocolates Tropical Caramel Chocolate Truffle Collection

Honorable Mention
Dolce Lusso Confections Pumpkin Spice Caramel
Dolce Lusso Confections Smoked Tea Caramel

Most Unique

Gold
Brigadeiro Sprinkles Ruby Passion Fruit Brigadeiro

Silver
Kokak Chocolates Tropical Caramel Chocolate Truffle Collection
Panache Chocolatier Lavender Bourbon Caramel

Bronze
Dolce Lusso Confections Smoked Tea Caramel
Carson’s Caramels Danish Salty Licorice
CocoTutti Chocolates Chocolate Blood Orange Caramel
Sonoma Chocolatiers Tea Time Caramel/truffle
Toute Douceur Candy Lavender Caramels dipped in Ruby Chocolate

Honorable Mention
Delysia Chocolatier Deconstructed Sweets: Cheesecake, Toffee, Spiced Muffin, Spiced Dulce de Leche
Kansas City Caramels Cherry Almond Caramel
Sonoma Chocolatiers London Fog Caramel/truffle
Virtuoso Confections Gingerbread Caramel Bar

Top Caramels

Gold
Kansas City Caramels Cherry Almond Caramel
Kwoka caramel Dark Chocolate Orange Caramel

Silver
Kokak Chocolates Tropical Caramel Chocolate Truffle Collection
CocoTutti Chocolates Chocolate Blood Orange Caramel
Delysia Chocolatier Deconstructed Sweets: Cheesecake, Toffee, Spiced Muffin, Spiced Dulce de Leche

Bronze
Panache Chocolatier Lavender Bourbon Caramel
CocoTutti Chocolates Cappuccino Espresso Hazelnut Caramel

Honorable Mention
Dolce Lusso Confections Smoked Tea Caramel
Sonoma Chocolatiers London Fog Caramel/truffle
Dolce Lusso Confections Honey & Cardamom Caramel
Virtuoso Confections Single Malt Scotch Caramel Bar
Delysia Chocolatier Cookie Dough Chocolate Truffles
Stella's Confectionery Stella's Sea Salt Caramel

Star Ratings

4.5 Stars
Kwoka caramel Dark Chocolate Orange Caramel
Kansas City Caramels Cherry Almond Caramel
CocoTutti Chocolates Cappuccino Espresso Hazelnut Caramel
CocoTutti Chocolates Chocolate Blood Orange Caramel
Kansas City Caramels Cold Brew Coffee Caramel
Kokak Chocolates Tropical Caramel Chocolate Truffle Collection

4.0 Stars
Panache Chocolatier Fall Spice Caramel
Delysia Chocolatier Deconstructed Sweets: Cheesecake, Toffee, Spiced Muffin, Spiced Dulce de Leche
Sonoma Chocolatiers London Fog Caramel/truffle
Sonoma Chocolatiers Hot Buttered Rum Caramel
Panache Chocolatier Lavender Bourbon Caramel
Sonoma Chocolatiers Tea Time Caramel/truffle
Dolce Lusso Confections Smoked Tea Caramel
Dolce Lusso Confections Pumpkin Spice Caramel
Kansas City Caramels Proper Caramel
Dolce Lusso Confections Honey & Cardamom Caramel
Stella's Confectionery Stella's Sea Salt Caramel
Virtuoso Confections Salted Espresso Caramel Bar
Virtuoso Confections Single Malt Scotch Caramel Bar
Virtuoso Confections Gingerbread Caramel Bar

3.5 Stars
Amazing Caramel Company Original
Amazing Caramel Company Sea Salt
Carson’s Caramels ButterRum
ALDI Inc. Choceur Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels
Amazing Caramel Company Espresso
Delysia Chocolatier Cookie Dough Chocolate Truffles

3.0 Stars
Carson’s Caramels Danish Salty Licorice
Brigadeiro Sprinkles Ruby Passion Fruit Brigadeiro
Carson’s Caramels Peppermint
Toute Douceur Candy Lavender Caramels dipped in Ruby Chocolate
Delysia Chocolatier Caramelized Citrus Pumpkin

Truffles

Gold Medal Truffle Artistry

Baetz Chocolates Kaleidoscope
Panache Chocolatier Oz Collection
Justin Vineyard and Winery Assorted Chocolate Truffle Box

Silver Medal Truffle Artistry

Delysia LLC Friendsgiving
Panache Chocolatier Fall Harvest Collection

Bronze Medal

Rayluca Chocolate Biscottino
ALDI Inc Belgian Cocoa Dusted Truffles