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Mahurangi-based boutique chocolate maker Foundry Chocolate received a surprise Christmas gift this year, winning three gold medals at the prestigious Academy of Chocolate Awards in London last month.
It was fifth time lucky for company founders David and Janelle Herrick, who also picked up six other medals for their single origin bean-to-bar and drinking chocolate entries.
“This is the fifth time we’ve entered, and the first time we’ve ever won golds, let alone this many awards,” David said.
“We are utterly blown away by these results. To have this level of international acknowledgement for our craft and be recognised amongst the best in the world is absolutely amazing, and absolutely where we want to be.”
Foundry’s Kilombero Valley, Tanzania 70% and Semuliki Forest, Uganda 70% chocolate bars won gold, as well as its Kilombero Valley drinking chocolate.
Foundry Chocolate was established in 2018 at the Herricks’ Mahurangi West home to source and make the best chocolate possible, using just cacao beans and organic sugar. Beans are sourced from Tanzania, Uganda, Peru, Vanuatu, India and Mexico to make dark chocolate with diverse flavours that range from honey to tropical fruit and spice to hints of caramel.
Herrick said Foundry had recently expanded into new premises in Silverdale to cope with increased demand.
The Academy of Chocolate Awards were launched in 2005 to identify, recognise and showcase the world’s most talented chocolate producers and finest chocolates. This year, there were more than 1400 entries.
