2026 Craft Chocolat Challenge Season 5 Preview | #PSC 187
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.
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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.
The list of the 63 Official Entries for Season 5
- Why the Challenge?
- Who is it for and who can enter?
- What are the categories?
- What other entry guidelines are there?
- How many awards are presented in each category?
- How is judging done, and who are the judges?
For the second year, judging will be done on Beanstalkr.com
What else makes the Craft Chocolat Challenge different?
- 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. - 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.
Future Episodes
Preparing for Warm Weather Shipping and Displaying at farmers markets
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
#beanstalkr Instagram
#cocoa #cacao #cacau
#chocolate #chocolat #craftchocolate
#PodSaveChoc #PSC
#LaVidaCocoa #TheChocolateLife
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Clay Gordon
Clay Gordon
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