More accolades as cocoa grower Kirk wins Bronze
Cocoa Excellence Awards
Shannonvale’s cocoa grower Darryl Kirk has crowned the year in style by taking out a Bronze Medal in the Asia and Pacific region of the 2021 edition of the Cocoa Excellence Awards.
Kirk was the only Australian representative and was part of the evaluation process of 235 cocoa samples submitted from 53 origins and was among the 50 entrants shortlisted.
On 16 December, during a virtual ceremony broadcast to more than 70 countries, the 2021 Cocoa of Excellence Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards winners were celebrated, shining the international spotlight on the work of cocoa farmers, and the diversity of cocoa around the world.
Cocoa of Excellence proudly recognises quality, flavour and diversity of cocoas from origins around the world to improve farmers’ livelihoods and drive sustainability of the cocoa supply chain since 2009. Its vision is excellence in the cocoa sector catalysing multiple benefits for resilient and thriving agricultural systems at landscape and global level.
Cocoa of Excellence said in a statement that it has taken a big step forward into its second decade with the first Cocoa of Excellence Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards while acknowledging the legacy of our past Editions with the International Cocoa Awards.
“The next decade will be exciting as we work together to continue to promote diversity and strive for superior quality cocoa.
“Of course central to all of that are the women and men, the families, cooperatives and communities in origins across the world who grow these cocoa,” said Brigitte Laliberté, Acting Director, Cocoa of Excellence, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT.
Cocoa of Excellence works to increase awareness and promote education along the cocoa supply chain about the opportunities to produce high quality cocoa and the need to preserve flavours resulting from genetic diversity, the terroir and the know-how of the farmers who prepare cocoa.
Cocoa of Excellence is a unique international initiative that celebrates and values the work of the cocoa farmers. They are the ones recognised and celebrated at the international level.
“To be recognised on the world stage is something I cherish and I am real proud of what we have achieved.
“I participated to seek reassurance and recognition that our beans are of the highest quality. Cocoa of Excellence is a global competition and I value the opinion and the advice and judgement from our international cocoa community,” said Kirk.