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, Sugar Free, Best Valentine's Chocolates, and others.