Malagos Chocolate is a multi-awarded Philippine chocolate brand that raked in five awards across two categories in this year’s Academy of Chocolate Awards. Photo courtesy of Malagos Agri-Ventures Corporation

12 July 2018 LONDON—The entries of three Philippine chocolate brands were judged as among the best in the world during the 2018 Academy of Chocolate Awards in London.  The chocolates of Malagos Agri-Venture Corporations, Auro Chocolate, and Theo & Philo Artisanal Chocolates were judged as among the best from around 1,200 entries from 45 countries worldwide.  All three brands source their cocoa beans from Davao.

“We would like to see more Philippine products make their way to the mainstream market in the UK and the rest of Europe. It’s a tough and highly competitive market. A recognition such as this from a respected industry body that provides added validation of the quality of our products and their capability to compete with the rest of the world,” said Philippine Special Trade Representative and Commercial Counsellor Michelle Fatima S. Sanchez.

Malagos Agri-Venture Corporation garnered a Silver award for Malagos 85% Dark Chocolate under the Drinking Chocolate Category and Bronze awards for Malagos Unsweetened Chocolate and Malagos 72% Dark Chocolate under the same category.  The brand’s entries in the Tree to Bar Category, Malagos 72% Dark Chocolate and Malagos 85% Dark Chocolate also won Bronze awards.

Auro Chocolate, on the other hand, won Bronze awards for Auro Chocolate 70% Dark Chocolate Saloy Reserve under the Tree to Bar Category and Auro Chocolate 32% Roasted White Chocolate Cashew under the Flavoured White Chocolate Bar category.

Theo & Philo Artisanal Chocolates bagged a Silver award for Theo and Philo Milk Chocolate Adobo under the Flavoured Milk Chocolate Bar Category and Bronze awards for Theo and Philo Milk Chocolcate Turon and Theo and Philo Milk Choco with Pili Nut and Pinipig under the same category.  The brand’s entries in the Flavoured Dark Chocolate Bar Category such as Theo and Philo Dark Choco with Black Sesame and Nuts, Theo and Philo Dark Choco with Calamansi, and Theo and Philo Dark Choco with Labuyo; and in the Bar Wrappers-Packaging Category.

The Academy of Chocolate Awards was launched in 2005 with the aim to recognise and showcase world-class chocolate and its producers.  Leading chocolatiers such as Luke Frost of Valrhona and Keith Hurdman from Felchin, together with The Telegraph’s Andrew Baker, Cocoa Runners’ Charles Metcalfe MW and Spencer Hyman, and the UK’s top chocolate bloggers and food writers gathered at Westminster Kingsway College, London to take part in 15 days of judging this year’s entries.  END 

Auro Chocolate, a premium Philippine chocolate brand has consistently sent winning entries in the Academy of Chocolate Awards in the past few years.  Two entries from Auro Chocolate won in this year’s awards.  Photo courtesy of Auro Chocolate 

Theo & Philo Artisanal Chocolates was recognized in three categories for this year’s awards.  Theo & Philo’s claim to fame are its innovative chocolate flavours such as Milk Chocolate Adobo and Dark Choco with Labuyo.  Photo courtesy of Theo & Philo Artisanal Chocolates