Toronto chocolate maker wins big at world competition

Toronto's SOMA Chocolatemaker can now say it makes one of the best dark chocolate bars in the world after winning gold at the International Chocolate Awards.

Yes, the International Chocolate Awards are a real thing. The annual competition celebrates the world's best chocolatiers in categories as diverse as "Dark chocolate bars with an infusion or flavouring" to "Milk chocolate dragĂŠes, enrobed whole nuts." The event unfolded last Saturday during London, U.K.'s Chocolate Show.

SOMA took home gold at the World Finals in the "Plain/origin dark chocolate bars" category for its Porcelana bar. Its CSB Chama bar previously won best-in-show in the Americas regional, semifinal round back in April.

On Saturday, SOMA received seven additional awards including a silver for its Thai stick truffle. According to SOMA's owners David Castellan and Cynthia Leung, this is the first time Canada has won gold at the International Chocolate Awards' World Final competition.

Photo of SOMA Chocolate by Jesse Milns.