Monsoon Chocolate came out on top during last night’s annual Good Food Awards, winning in the chocolate category as well as for confections.
Hey, as a matter of fact, they’re the only business to win in the state of Arizona.
The Good Food Awards were held for the second time in Portland, Oregon on Monday, April 29, and a full house of 600 guests, including Adam Krantz and Athene Kline of Monsoon Chocolate, were welcomed to the celebration.
“We continue to be so honored to be a part of the Good Food community, to celebrate among our fellow passionate makers and small business owners, and to make meaningful connections with so many different kinds of wonderful humans,” Krantz and Kline shared on Monsoon Chocolate’s social media.
Monsoon Chocolate won for its Sonoran Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Bar and Resposado Sweet Orange Margarita Bon Bon.
“Many thanks yous are owed to our customers, our team, and our collaborators,” they added. “We’re still processing it all, but talk to you soon.”
The winners are all chosen through a blind tasting and sustainability vetting process (nearly 2,000 entries this year). This year’s winners “rose to the top based on taste, while also demonstrating an outstanding commitment to sustainable environmental and social practices.”
Speakers included Dana Cowin, best known for her two decades as the Editor-in-Chief of Food & Wine Magazine, and Ari Weinzweig, co-founder of the legendary Zingerman’s Family of Businesses.
“My wish for you is that tonight is just the start of the celebration and the rejuvenation that you deserve,” said Sarah Weiner, Good Food Founder and Executive Director. “That having struggled to care for your team and farmers and customers over many years, you can let those around you rise up and carry some of the burden. That you make time to explore new delights, to cultivate your gardens. That you refill your well so your creations can continue to be powered by the vibrant energy and singular vision only you can bring to them.”
You can check out all of the winners at goodfoodfdn.org. The Good Food Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating, supporting, and advocating for food and beverage crafters who create tasty, authentic, and responsibly produced products.
Cheers to Six Years
The local chocolate factory is also celebrating its sixth anniversary in Tucson!
On Thursday, May 2, everyone’s invited into the Cafe + Market at 3630 E. Fort Lowell Rd. from 5 – 8 p.m. to sample their chocolate products, meet the team, and get a free bonbon. Parkie Sandwich food truck will be serving up food in the parking lot and Chelsey Trejo will be playing lovely music inside.
Monsoon Chocolate Café + Market is located at 3630 E. Fort Lowell Rd. The original location can be found at 234 E. 22nd St. For more information, visit monsoonchocolate.com and follow Monsoon Chocolate on Instagram.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
