From silky truffles and hand painted bonbons to bean-to-bar creations with unique inclusions, Australia’s finest chocolatiers have been recognised at the 2026 Perth Royal Food Awards – Chocolate.
Marking the return of chocolate to the Perth Royal Food Awards program, the competition celebrates excellence in one of Australia’s most creative and technically demanding food categories.
Held on Friday, 19 June alongside the Perth Royal Food Awards – Dairy, this year’s competition attracted 90 entries, with judges awarding 10 Champion Trophies, and 43 Gold, 23 Silver and 12 Bronze Medals.
The coveted Champion Chocolate Trophy was awarded to Bon Bonbon (East Fremantle, WA) for their 12 Piece Signature Collection Box, recognised by judges as the most outstanding exhibit of the competition. The team at Bon Bonbon took home three Champion Trophies on the night.
“To be recognised with Champion Chocolate at the Perth Royal Food Awards less than a year after opening our doors to the public is an incredible honour for our small team.
“Because the awards are judged blind, this recognition is especially meaningful. It means our chocolates were evaluated purely on flavour, craftsmanship and quality.
“Our ambition has always been to elevate the chocolate gifting experience by pairing exceptional flavour with beautiful design. Every bonbon is painted, filled and finished by hand in our East Fremantle studio, and we’re thrilled that our commitment to quality and creativity has been recognised at the highest level.
“Chocolate brings people joy, and that’s what inspires us every day,” said Di Bain, Founder of Bon Bonbon.
Other Champions were recognised across a diverse range of chocolate styles including Bracegirdles House of Fine Chocolate (Clarence Gardens, SA), Gari Yala – Chocolate on Purpose (Moss Vale, NSW), Knights Delights (Dalkeith, WA), Whitfield Estate Chocolate (Denmark, WA), and Chocolat Philippe (Erskineville, NSW).
Chocolate may be synonymous with indulgence, but judges say producing exceptional chocolate requires a remarkable combination of technical skill, creativity and consistency.
Entries were assessed using a rigorous blind judging process, with products evaluated on criteria including appearance, finish, texture, flavour balance, innovation and overall quality. For chocolate bars, judges considered factors such as sheen, snap, structure and flavour, while truffles and individual chocolates were assessed on finish, mouthfeel, flavour combinations and craftsmanship.
Robyn Sermon, CEO of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA, said, “Food has a wonderful way of bringing people together, and few products do that quite like chocolate. Whether shared with family and friends or gifted to mark a special occasion, chocolate is often part of our most cherished moments.
“The Perth Royal Food Awards Chocolate competition celebrates the people who help create those experiences, showcasing the artistry that transforms quality ingredients into something truly memorable.”
The Perth Royal Food Awards Chocolate competition forms part of the wider Perth Royal Food Awards program, celebrating excellence across Australia’s food and beverage industry.
A full list of winners is available in the 2026 Perth Royal Food Awards – Chocolate Results Catalogue at raswa.org.au/perth-royal-food-awards.
