Duo win chocolate award

Artisan award winners Co Couture, a chocolatier, and Suki Teahouse, both based in Northern Ireland have created an innovative milk chocolate bar with a Japanese Cherry Sencha infusion, which has gained a silver medal in the prestigious world final of the International Chocolate Awards.

The success is the latest collaboration between the two small businesses, which are both based in Belfast. The chocolate bar was among 950 different products from around in the world in the annual competition.

Deirdre McCanny, owner of Co Couture, said the chocolate bar has added to Co Couture’s growing international ranking products.
“The judging panel comprised experts, food journalists, bloggers, chefs, sommeliers and pastry chefs and attracted fine chocolate makers from across the globe,” she adds. “The awards are designed to reflect international tastes and celebrate and recognise traditional craft companies such as Co Couture.

“The combination of this fine chocolate and Suki Tea’s Japanese Cherry Sencha blend has given this bar the filling needed to secure silver in this highly competitive category.”

Oscar Woolley, Suki Tea managing director, says: “The award highlights the versatility of our gourmet teas now being recognised in Britain and further afield.”