Published by Nataly Nicholls · December 9, 2025
On November 29, I traveled from MedellÃn to Bogotá for one reason only: to attend the International Chocolate Awards Colombia 2025, one of the most respected chocolate competitions in the world.
For those of us working with Colombian fine-flavor cacao, these awards are essentially the Oscars of the chocolate world. They represent the highest level of recognition for craftsmanship, technique, origin, and flavor.
This year, during Choco Show at Corferias, I had the honor of experiencing something unforgettable:
Magno Chocolates received three awards — a milestone not only for our brand, but for Colombian cacao itself.
Coconut Cookie Bar: Two Awards and a Story Born in the Caribbean
Our Coconut Cookie bar, made with 70% single-origin dark chocolate from Cauca, received a Bronze Medal along with a Special Recognition for Best Reinterpretation of a Traditional Colombian Recipe.
This bar is our tribute to the classic Caribbean cocada: soft caramelized coconut candy, homemade cookies, and crunchy candied bits that bring back memories of childhood, beaches, and family traditions.
After living in Cartagena for the past five years, this recipe became deeply personal to me. I wanted to take something as iconic as cocada, a true symbol of the Colombian Caribbean, and transform it into a premium origin chocolate bar that blends technique, memory, and place into a single experience.
One of the most emotional moments of the night came when Maricel Presilla, co-founder of the International Chocolate Awards, traveled from the United States and personally handed me the award.
As she gave it to me, she said:
"Nataly, to me, this bar deserved gold."
Those words stayed with me. So much so that in 2026, we'll be presenting this bar in the international phase of the competition.
Gulupa & Honey Bonbon: Silver Medal for the ORIGEN Collection
Our third recognition came from one of the bonbons in our ORIGEN collection — a tasting box created to celebrate Colombian terroir through fine chocolate and specialty coffee.
The award-winning bonbon combines:
- 70% Arauca chocolate, a fine cacao known for its deep floral character
- Gulupa, a Colombian passionfruit with the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity
- Wild honey from the dry forests of La Guajira, bringing warmth and depth to the filling
Together, these ingredients earned a Silver Medal, placing the bonbon among Colombia's standout premium chocolates.
What These Awards Mean for Magno Chocolates
These recognitions are more than medals. They're proof that Colombian cacao belongs among the best in the world, and that brands committed to fine, traceable, ethically sourced chocolate can compete on the global stage.
For me personally, as a founder, they represent:
Our commitment to cacao farmers
We work exclusively with traceable cacao sourced from farms that have mastered fermentation, drying, and roasting. Their work is the foundation behind every award-winning bar and bonbon we create.
The dedication of our women-led team
Magno Chocolates was founded and is operated by women. Every piece we make — from our 24K gold leaf Gemas to our viral chocolate bars — is crafted with precision, artistry, and discipline.
The growing strength of Colombian chocolate
Our success at the International Chocolate Awards pushes us to keep innovating while protecting authenticity: no artificial flavorings, no artificial vanilla — just real ingredients and traditional craftsmanship.
Thank You
Thank you for being part of this journey — one that began eight years ago in my home kitchen and has now led us to compete alongside some of the finest chocolates in the world.
Thank you to our team, our cacao producers, the judges who believed in our recipes, and the community that inspires us every day.
This achievement is not ours alone. It belongs to Colombia, to its cacao, its traditions, and its creativity.
