The Vancouver Hot Chocolate Challenge was a success featuring Hot Chocolate creations from cafes around Vancouver. Each establishment featured their creation from November 23 – December 17, 2023 .
The Winners are:
1st Place:
{111 points}
Bean Around the World on Granville
The Smore
Price: $8.95
Created by: Chef Yossi
Description: It’s a 12 hours steeping house made smore milk the steam with chocolate sauce and marshmallow that are torched and serve with a graham wafer.
Offered: all the time
Available: dine in and takeout
Bean Around the World on Granville
2977 Granville Street, Vancouver
Tel: (604) 732-8273
Web: https://batwcoffee.com/pages/bean-around-the-world-granville
Instagram @beanongranville
2nd Place (tie):
{107 points}
AMOKA Coffee and Bites
Choco Chai
Price: $6.25
Created by: Belem
Description: In this hot chocolate we wanted to celebrate what makes Vancouver beautiful: multiculturalism. Our hot chocolate is a fusion of rich dark Mexican chocolate with the taste and the fragrance of the spices of autentica Indian Chai. For the presentation we wanted something simple, but at the same time something that will make you think about Christmas and will make your inner child happy.
Ingredients: Dark chocolate, milk, whipped cream, organic cinnamon, organic cardamom, organic white pepper, organica ginger, organic cloves, organic tapioca and a ginger cookie
Offered: All the time
AMOKA Coffee and Bites
1069 Davie Street, Vancouver
Tel: (604) 685-7427
Web: https://www.instagram.com/amokacoffee
Instagram @amokacoffee
2nd Place (tie):
{107 points}
Milano Espresso Lounge
Milano’s Fireside Choco Snug
Price: $7.50 ($10.50 for spiked version)
Created by: the team
Description – A Luscious dark drinking chocolate infused with rosemary, citrus, sea salt, and a hint of vanilla. Tied all together with.a cozy dose of orange brandy to warm you from tip to top.
Ingredients – Fresh rosemary, our organic vanilla syrup, orange brandy (optional), Flori di sicilia extract (non alcoholic), dark chocolate flakes, sea salt, regular milk or alternative (oat/soy/housemade almond)
Offered: all the time
Milano Espresso Lounge
36 Powell Street, Vancouver
Phone:(604) 558-0999
Web:https://www.milanocoffee.ca/
Instagram @milanoroasters
3rd Place:
{100 points}
Cup & Bun Café
Zafaran Party Potion
Price: $5.75
Created by: Faranak Kaboli
Description: This luxurious hot chocolate blends dark chocolate and milk with aromatic saffron syrup, topped with saffron and cardamom flavored whipped cream for a rich, indulgent experience.
Ingredients: Saffron syrup, Dark Chocolate. Cardamon, Homo Milk, Heavy Cream
Offered: All the time
Cup and Bun Cafe
3851 Hastings St, Burnaby
Phone:(604) 291-9390
Instagram @cupandbun.cafe
In the People’s Choice Awards category, the public who tried the Hot Chocolate creations were the ones who had the opportunity to cast their vote throughout the challenge.
The Winners are:
1st Place People’s Choice:
Cup & Bun Café
Zafaran Party Potion
Price: $5.75
Created by: Faranak Kaboli
Description: This luxurious hot chocolate blends dark chocolate and milk with aromatic saffron syrup, topped with saffron and cardamom flavored whipped cream for a rich, indulgent experience.
Ingredients: Saffron syrup, Dark Chocolate. Cardamon, Homo Milk, Heavy Cream
Offered: All the time
Cup and Bun Cafe
3851 Hastings St, Burnaby
Phone:(604) 291-9390
Instagram @cupandbun.cafe
2nd Place People’s Choice
Tamaly Shop
Champurrado
Price: $4.50
Created by: the team
Description: a chocolate-based atole, a warm and thick Mexican beverage. It is prepared with corn flour (simply very finely ground dried corn); piloncillo; water or milk; and containing cinnamon & vanilla. Atole drinks are whipped up using a wooden whisk called a molinillo. The whisk is rolled between the palms of the hands, then moved back and forth in the mixture, until it is aerated and frothy.
Offered: All the time
Tamaly Shop
2525 Main Street, Vancouver
Tel:(604) 369-3446
Instagram @tamalyshop
3rd Place People’s Choice
Tru Café
Crimson Cocoa Bliss
Price: $5.95 8oz, $6.20 12oz,, $6.45 16oz
Created by: Sumaya
Description: Delve into the “Crimson Cocoa Bliss,” where homemade dark chocolate sauce meets the vibrant tang of cranberry. In a mug lined with rich chocolate, we pour frothy steamed milk, creating a creamy base. Then, a spoonful of our unique cranberry sauce adds a tart, sweet twist, painting a crimson streak in the chocolatey mix.
Topped with fluffy whipped cream, each sip of this drink is a comforting blend of warmth, rich chocolate, and a zesty cranberry flair. Ideal for cozy nights or as a special treat, “Crimson Cocoa Bliss” is more than a drink—it’s an indulgent journey of flavors.
Offered: all the time
Tru Cafe
1500 W 2nd Ave, Vancouver
Tel: (604) 731-2508
Instagram @thetrucafe
Our Media judges for this challenge were: AJ Heraghty, Shelley Hayashi and Ray Lee.
Our media judging panel determined the ultimate winners of the challenge, and this was quite the task as each judge who tasted each creation with a rigorous process based on taste, originality/uniqueness and presentation/appearance.
Thank you to the cafes that accepted my invitation and featured the Hot Chocolate Challenge creations on the menu for the past few weeks during this challenge.
I encourage you to visit the winning spots to try their Hot Chocolate creations! See all the Challenge Entries Here.
By: Richard Wolak