Río Tambo Wins Top Honor at Chocolate Awards
Peruvian makers earned 35 medals, including five golds, at the 2026 International Chocolate Awards World Final.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Food and Drink
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Peruvian chocolate maker Río Tambo won the overall title in the plain/origin dark bar group at the 2026 International Chocolate Awards World Final, held online on November 7. Peru earned 35 medals across 16 brands, including five golds, 20 silvers and 10 bronzes.
Why it matters
The results highlight the strength of Peru's cacao sector on the global stage, with a range of brands recognized across dark, milk and origin categories. Awards like these can raise the profile of small producers in international chocolate markets.
Peru's 35 medals came from 16 brands, with The Puma Family's Pumatiy brand alone winning nine medals. More than 50 judges tasted and debated the entries, and the extraction does not specify how Peru's total ranks against other countries.
The players
Río Tambo
A Peruvian chocolate maker whose honey-sweetened dark chocolate won the overall title in the plain/origin dark bar group.
Vigdis Rosenkilde
A Norwegian chocolate maker who won gold for her 70% Piura bar with cacao nibs.
The details
The World Final ceremony was held online on November 7 after entries had already impressed judges in national and regional rounds. Río Tambo's honey-sweetened dark chocolate took the overall title, while Semillas de Amor, Chocolatería Pumatiy, Magia Piura and Qinti Cacao each won gold in separate categories.
Timeline
November 7, 2026: 2026 International Chocolate Awards World Final ceremony held online.
Market Landscape
The International Chocolate Awards move entries through national and regional rounds before a World Final, a structure that filters producers from many countries. Peru's strong showing reflects how its origin-focused makers are competing directly with established European and North American chocolate houses.
Readers interested in these chocolates can look for the winning brands in specialty shops and online retailers, though the extraction does not confirm their availability or pricing. Medal-winning bars often gain wider distribution after awards, which may make them easier to find over time.
The takeaway
Awards like the International Chocolate Awards give small-batch producers a way to earn recognition beyond their home markets. For chocolate lovers, medal lists can serve as a practical guide to new brands worth trying.
Further reading
Explore more Food and Drink coverage for context on how chocolate and cacao awards shape the market.
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