Finalists Announced for the Academy of Chocolate S Noval Trophy

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE ACADEMY OF CHOCOLATE’S NOVAL TROPHY

Entries have been flooding in through July for the innovative Noval Trophy competition, and after much deliberation – it was a very hard task indeed – the shortlist has now been announced for the Finals, taking place at the Academy’s International Conference on Friday October 12th.

The contest – to create the best chocolate to match one of Quinta do Noval’swell known ports – attracted entries from all round the country, and even as far as Seattle in the United States and Budapest in Hungary. After being selected through paper descriptions, each finalist will now make up their recipe for the blind tasting, matched to the Noval port of their choice, throughout the Conference day. Delegates will have the chance to taste and cast their votes for the two winners.

The official judging panel, Academy Chairman Sara Jayne Stanes OBE, committee members Marie Pierre Moine, Sarah Jane Evans, and Keith Hurdman, also one of last year’s Chocolatiers of the Year, will also be deliberating and marking all the entries before the results are announced.

The two winners - one for the best chocolate to match Noval’s Late Bottled Vintage 2005, and the other matching their 10 Tear Old Tawny port – will each receive a unique trip for two to Quinta do Noval’s spectacular property in the Douro valley in Portugal, plus a very special bottle of Vintage port.

We wish every one of the Finalists the very best of luck!

Quinta do Noval Late Bottled Vintage 2005 match:

Auberge du Chocolat, Gerards Cross (Jonathon Scott) Artistry in Cocoa, Newmarket (Cheryl Brighty)

Baravelli’s, Conwy (Emma Baravelli) Paul A Young, Islington ,London (Jon Hogan)

RozsavolgyiCsokolade, Budapest (KatalinCsiszar) Theo Chocolate, Seattle (Audrey Lawrence)

William Curley, London (Alistair Birt)

Quinta do Noval 10 Year Old Tawny match:

Charlotte Flower Chocolates ,Aberfeldy Cocoa Red, Isle of Man (Karl Berrie)

Curiously Wicked, Morpeth (KrystynaDodds) Marasu Petit Fours, London (Gabi Kohler)

Paul A Young, Soho, London (Catherine Branch) Rococo, London (Barry Johnson)

William Curley, London (Melissa Paul)