Fine Chocolate Industry Association Awards

Recipients of the Fine Chocolate Industry Association's 1st annual Fine Chocolate Recognition of Excellence were announced by the Fine Chocolate Industry Association just in time for the holidays. The Recognition of Excellence Ceremony recognizes the recipients' talent and invaluable contributions to the fine chocolate industry. The ceremony will take place on January 17, 2009 in San Francisco, California at the Hotel Nikko.

The 2009 Recognition of Excellence Ceremony will honor the following individuals for their contributions to the industry, passion for fine chocolate and extensive body of work:

- Gary Guittard of Guittard Chocolate and E. Guittard for Lifetime Achievement: given to a chocolate professional whose passion for fine chocolate has changed the world of chocolate for the better.

- Valrhona for Outstanding Fine Chocolate Maker/Manufacturer: Europe: given to a company that produces fine chocolate from fermented and dried cocoa beans.

- Fran Bigelow of Fran's Chocolates for Outstanding Fine Chocolatier: North America and

- Robert Linxe founder of La Maison du Chocolat for Outstanding Fine Chocolatier: Europe: given to an individual who uses couverture to create unique fine chocolate products and confectionery in a specific geographic region.

- Alexander Morozoff, publisher of Cocoaroma magazine for Outstanding Fine Chocolate Literature: given to an author or publisher whose literature is focused on fine chocolate.

- Dr. Robert Steinberg (posthumously), co-founder of Sharffen Berger Chocolate Maker for Outstanding Service to the Fine Chocolate Industry: given to an individual or company whose product or body of work has made a significant impact on the quality of the fine chocolate industry.

- Norman Love of Norman Love Confections for Innovation in Fine Chocolate Product and Presentation: given to a chocolatier or chocolate maker?s product as well as its presentation that has taken the fine chocolate or confectionery into a new direction.

About the Fine Chocolate Recognition of Excellence Ceremony
Recipients were selected by the Fine Chocolate Industry Association's executive committee from a list of industry professionals nominated by the association's members. The recipients were selected because they best represent the attributes for their category. In the future, the selection committee will be comprised of recipients from the preceding year. For example, the 2010 Selection Committee will be comprised of the 2009 recipients.

About the Fine Chocolate Industry Association
The Fine Chocolate Industry Association is an international professional organization supporting the development and innovation of the fine chocolate industry. We promote the artistry and craftsmanship of the chocolate professional focused on producing superior products made from premium chocolate and natural ingredients. We believe in using best practices in cacao processing and chocolate production, transparent labeling and marketing practices. Founded in 2007, the association has ~100 members comprised of professionals involved in the fine chocolate industry from blossom to bonbon and bar.