There are days when I love being part of the food scene in York. Last was definitely one of them as I was lucky enough to be invited to be a judge at The International Chocolate Awards during their stay in York.

In a session of approximately two hours we were asked to judge around fourteen samples of dark chocolate. Some were single origin, others moulded and filled with flavoured caramels and a couple of beautiful ganache chocolates made it onto my platter too.

Whilst this was great fun for my taste buds there is a serious side to the International Chocolate Awards. Active since 2012 – it is the only independent international competition and aims to promote small companies, chocolatiers and artisans working with the finest in craft chocolate. 2015 notes their first visit to York and is part of the movement to make York a shining light on the European chocolate scene. Other stages are to be held in  Italy, USA, Germany, Scandinavia, Belgium.

Judges are made up of individuals from across the food sector. I found myself seated next to master chef and chocolatier David Greenwood-Haigh from Coeur De Xocolat and the team from Malton Cookery school. David regularly delivers workshops on the correct technique for tasting chocolate so was on hand to guide those of with less experience.

Following  a short exercise to calibrate our taste buds the serious tasting begins. Each sample is accompanied with a number and short description of what the producers aim to achieve with their product. Every one is placed gently on the tongue and allowed to melt whilst we consider factors such as depth and balance of flavour, texture and appearance.

This is to be done without consultation with your neighbouring judges so that marks awarded are your own –  not influenced by the opinions of others. All products are submitted anonymously and I shall be keeping a keen eye on the results to see if some of my favourites gain the awards they deserve.