> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://thechocolatelife.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 2026 Craft Chocolat Challenge Season 5 Preview | #PSC 187 - URL: https://thechocolatelife.com/2026-craft-chocolat-challenge-season-5-preview-psc-187/ - Published: 2026-03-09T15:51:55.000Z - Updated: 2026-03-14T17:25:07.000Z - Description: OVERVIEW: Episode 187 of #PodSaveChocolate is a preview of the 2026 Craft Chocolat Challenge (Season 5) with the Challenge’s founder, Dustin Cornett. Discover why the Challenge was created, who it’s for, how it’s judged, and more. - Author: Clay Gordon - Tags: PodSaveChocolate, Live Stream 🗓️ Episode 187 streamed on Tuesday, March 10th 2026\. Click a link below to view the archived episode. This ****YOUTUBE** link is shareable. 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[Watch this episode on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/share/1BwsBWXjES/) --- ## **Episode 187 Overview** In this episode: A preview of the 2026 Craft Chocolat Challenge (Season 5) with the Challenge’s founder, Dustin Cornett. Discover why the Challenge was created, who it’s for, how it’s judged, and more. [SEASON FIVE | Craft Chocolat Chall![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/pfavico-27.ico)Craft Chocolat Chall![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/d859b8_79d0fefa8a05438d85d1b145a062a20d-mv2-1.jpg)](https://www.craftchocolatchallenge.com/season-five?ref=thechocolatelife.com) The list of the ****63** Official Entries for Season 5 [Donate to Help Us Elevate Craft Chocolate Makers Worldwide, organized by Dustin CornettAs a fellow chocolate maker, I launched a free competition centered on… Dustin Cornett needs your support for Help Us Elevate Craft Chocolate Makers Worldwide![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/favicon-4.svg)gofundme.comDustin Cornett![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/99524827_1769913319436741_r.jpg)](https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-elevate-craft-chocolate-makers-worldwide?attribution%5Fid=sl:e7e789a1-cef0-4470-896e-1e89fd551c87&lang=en%5FUS&ts=1770241784&ref=thechocolatelife.com) Support the Craft Chocolat Challenge with a donation on Go Fund Me. ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2026/03/whatMakesAWinningBar.jpg) 1. Why the Challenge? 2. Who is it for and who can enter? 3. What are the categories? 4. What other entry guidelines are there? 5. How many awards are presented in each category? 6. How is judging done, and who are the judges? [Beanstalkr | Craft chocolate directory and reviews – Somewhere to talk beans and find your next chocolate bar![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Beanstalkr-Logo![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/Beanstalkr-Logo-2.png)](https://beanstalkr.com/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) For the second year, judging will be done on Beanstalkr.com ### **What else makes the Craft Chocolat Challenge different?** 1. Unlike every other competition, members of the general public are encouraged to taste any Challenge bars they have access to and submit tasting notes. While these reviews are not considered for the awards, this year will see the creation of the official **Beanstalkr Community Tasting Panel**. Not to get ahead of ourselves in this post, Dustin and I will discuss the what and the why of the Tasting Panel during the episode, and I will update the post after. 2. **CCC Masters.** To become a Master, a maker must win an award (in any category, at any award level) in three separate seasons. After achieving Master status, those makers are no longer eligible to enter the Challenge – the Challenge has served its purpose for those makers. Challenge organizers and judges remain committed to assisting Masters; for example, they can submit bars for review only. --- ### **Some Stats** | Country | Count | | ------------------ | ------ | | Belgium | 1 | | Canada | 6 | | Dominican Republic | 3 | | Ecuador | 4 | | Guatemala | 1 | | Honduras | 2 | | India | 1 | | Ireland | 1 | | Japan | 5 | | Norway | 2 | | Philippines | 1 | | **Country Count** | **11** | | **Total** | **24** | | US States | Count | | --------------- | ------ | | Colorado | 2 | | Florida | 2 | | Hawaii | 1 | | Idaho | 2 | | Illinois | 2 | | Minnesota | 2 | | Montana | 2 | | New York | 4 | | North Carolina | 3 | | Ohio | 2 | | Oregon | 2 | | Pennsylvania | 2 | | Tennessee | 2 | | Texas | 2 | | Utah | 6 | | **State Count** | **15** | | **Total** | **41** | --- ### **Future Episodes** 🗓️ Friday, March 13th ****Preparing for Warm Weather Shipping** **and* ****Displaying at farmers markets** 🗓️ Friday, April 10th ****A conversation with Shawn Askinosie** **on the 20th anniversary of our first bean sourcing trip (to Mexico and Venezuela).* --- ### **Episode Hashtags and Social Media Links** #CraftChocolatChallenge [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/craft%5Fchocolat%5Fchallenge/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) #beanstalkr [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/beanstalkr%5F/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) #cocoa #cacao #cacau #chocolate #chocolat #craftchocolate #PodSaveChoc #PSC #LaVidaCocoa #TheChocolateLife --- ### **#PodSaveChocolate and #TheChocolateLifeLIVE Archives** **To read an archived post** and find the links to watch archived episodes, click on one of the bookmark cards, below. 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