RCI announces 2026 Grand Confection Award winner
Winans Coffee & Chocolate's Highlander Grogg Cream took home the crown.
Pictured (from left): Lynne Fascia Mouanes of Fascia's Chocolates (finalist), Jill Larger of Winans Coffee & Chocolate (winner), Glenn Hartley of Joy Lyn's Candies (finalist), and Valerie Cannon of Speckled Hen Chocolate Company (finalist).
Retail Confectioners International (RCI) has named Winans Coffee & Chocolate of Piqua, OH, as the winner of the 2026 Grand Confection Award during the RCI Candy Convention in Indianapolis. Winans earned top honors for its Highlander Grogg Cream, combining the flavors of Highlander Grogg coffee—caramel, butterscotch, and a touch of scotch whiskey—with a smooth cream center enrobed in dark chocolate.
Now in its third year, the Grand Confection Award celebrates excellence in confectionery craftsmanship by recognizing outstanding chocolates and confections created by RCI members. This year's featured confection was the cream, a fondant-based or buttercream-based center enrobed in chocolate.
A panel of judges anonymously evaluated 11 entries from confectioners across the U.S. and Canada based on how each piece highlighted the cream center, as well as flavor balance, craveability, originality, appearance, and texture. This year's judges included Doug Dressman of Esther Price Candies, Randy Hofberger of R&D Candy Consultants, Gregory Power of Las Olas Confections and Snacks, and Jeffery Smith of Peterbrooke Chocolatier.
The following finalists were also recognized for their exceptional entries:
- Crème Brûlée Cream — Fascia's Chocolates, Waterbury, CT
- Dark Raspberry Cream — Joy Lyn's Candies, Paradise, CA
- Hot Honey Chocolate Cream — Speckled Hen Chocolate Co., Saxonburg, PA
"This year's entries showcased an impressive level of creativity and craftsmanship for a classic American confection," says Angie Burlison, executive director of RCI. "The Grand Confection Award highlights the talent found throughout our industry, and we're proud to recognize these confectioners for their outstanding work."
All competition entries were displayed during the RCI Candy Convention and featured in a special section of RCI's Convention Magazine. Click here to view the full list of entries and participants.Looking for a reprint of this article?
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