Bean-to-bar chocolatier earns the highest score in India’s dark chocolate category and qualifies for the World Final after securing multiple honours at the inaugural Indian Craft Chocolate Competition
Bean-to-bar chocolate and artisanal coffee brand Savorworks has emerged as one of India’s biggest winners at the inaugural Indian Craft Chocolate Competition 2026, securing a Double Gold award and the highest score in the country for plain dark chocolate while qualifying for the global finals of the world’s largest chocolate competition.
The company’s 85 per cent Dark Chocolate received the coveted Double Gold in the High per cent Plain/Origin Dark Chocolate Bars (85 per cent and Over) category, making it the highest-scoring dark chocolate in India at the competition.
In addition to its flagship award, Savorworks received Gold for its Direct Trade sourcing practices, two Silver awards for its 72 per cent Dark Chocolate – Gin & Tonic and Cashew Nut Tom Kha Dragée, and a Bronze award for its 72 per cent Dark Chocolate Micro-Batch Plain/Origin Dark Chocolate Bar.
The awards recognise excellence in bean-to-bar chocolate making and mark a significant milestone for the Bengaluru-based craft chocolatier, which has built its reputation around small-batch production, precision roasting and ethical sourcing.
Unlike conventional chocolate makers, Savorworks applies its specialty coffee roasting expertise to cacao processing. The company develops customised roast profiles for cacao beans in-house, aiming to unlock the beans’ natural flavour, aroma and complexity through carefully controlled roasting techniques.
The competition also recognised the company’s sourcing model with a Gold award for Direct Trade, acknowledging its partnerships with cacao-growing communities and its emphasis on traceability and quality across the supply chain.
Commenting on the achievement, Paweena Withyasathien, Co-founder and Master Chocolatier at Savorworks Coffee & Chocolate, said the awards reaffirm the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of Indian craft chocolate.
“For us, these recognitions are a reminder to keep roasting, refining and reimagining what Indian bean-to-bar chocolate can be. We’re just getting started, and we can proudly say that Savorworks is becoming the best dark chocolate maker in India,” she said.
Founded in 2019 by Baninder Singh, Co-founder and Head Roaster, and Paweena Withyasathien, Savorworks combines specialty coffee roasting techniques with artisanal chocolate making. The company said it will now represent India at the World Final following its performance at the regional competition.
