The search is on for the country’s best producers and chocolatiers with entries now open for the 2017 Callebaut Sydney Royal Chocolate Show run by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS).
Local legends are in the spotlight with four new classes dedicated to Australian grown products out of 22 classes covering Chocolate Blocks, Individual Chocolates, Boxed Chocolates, Truffles, Chilli Chocolates, Student Exhibits and Handcrafted Showpiece.
While the Show requires all products to be manufactured in Australia, the new classes stipulate that 85 per cent of an exhibit must also be made from Australian grown ingredients.
Jodie Van Der Velden from Josophan’s Fine Chocolates and The Gingerbread House Katoomba will be Chair of Judges for her fifth year in row and said the new categories are important to recognise an evolving area.
“The production of chocolate from Australian grown cacao is a very new and emerging industry, and it’s great to be able to provide a platform for growers and manufacturers to have their efforts recognised,” Ms Van Der Velden said.
“Providing a category particularly for Australian grown and made chocolate, creates a more level playing field for chocolate makers to benchmark their product against their own specific industry peers.”
The Show enables chocolate manufacturers and chocolatiers to showcase their products, receive individual expert feedback and find out where they sit in the Australian market.
“This is a fantastic forum to bring together the country’s best and this process encourages the best from our industry leaders, provides an opportunity for both innovation and learning, and offers fantastic rewards for outstanding produce.
“This can only help to improve the future of Australian chocolate manufacturing, pushing forward creativity, quality and commitment to creating higher quality produce,” she said.
In addition to a coveted Sydney Royal medal or trophy, more than $12,000 in prizes is also up for grabs including a course at the Savour Chocolate & Patisserie School in Melbourne for the Champion Chocolate – Student.
A five-day Cocoa tour in Ghana, West Africa will also be presented to the Champion Chocolate and Champion Chocolate Showpiece winners thanks to Callebaut ‘The Original Belgian Chocolate’ and Australian importer F. Mayer Imports.
Entries close Wednesday, 10 May 2017 for the Show which runs from 22-23 August 2017.