FCIA Awards
Honoring Leadership & Excellence in Fine Chocolate
The Fine Chocolate Industry Association (FCIA) proudly recognizes outstanding individuals, organizations, and contributions that shape the future of the fine chocolate world. Through three distinctive awards, FCIA celebrates sustainability leadership, industry impact, and excellence in cacao quality, advancing our shared mission to elevate quality, transparency, innovation, and collaboration across the chocolate value chain.
Our Awards
Mott Green Sustainability Award
This award honors environmental stewardship, ethical sourcing, and regenerative practices that create measurable and lasting impact across the fine chocolate ecosystem.
Nominees demonstrate:
- Proven environmental stewardship and regenerative practices
- Transparent and ethical labor and trade models
- Measurable positive impact in origin communities and supply chains
- Leadership that inspires industry-wide progress in sustainability
This award reflects FCIA’s commitment to ensuring the chocolate industry thrives ecologically, socially, and economically for generations to come.
Eric Case Fine Chocolate Industry Impact Award
This award recognizes outstanding contributions that strengthen the fine chocolate industry as a whole through leadership, community building, advocacy, education, or meaningful collaboration.
Nominees demonstrate:
- Visionary leadership with significant industry influence
- Commitment to collaboration, connection, and shared growth
- Programs, initiatives, or outcomes that benefit the broader fine chocolate sector
- Dedication to mentorship, knowledge sharing, and inclusive progress
This award honors those whose impact resonates beyond their own business, helping to shape the future of the industry.
Ed Seguine Cacao Excellence to the Industry Award
Named in honor of a pioneering leader in cacao quality and knowledge, this award recognizes individuals or organizations advancing global understanding and appreciation of cacao excellence from origin to finished chocolate.
Nominees demonstrate:
- Technical or scientific contributions that improve cacao quality
- Development of research, methodologies, or standards that uplift producers and makers
- Direct positive impact on cacao-producing communities
- Recognized leadership and influence across the value chain
This award underscores FCIA’s belief that cacao excellence is foundational to the craft, science, and future of fine chocolate.
Nomination & Selection Process
FCIA welcomes nominations from across the fine chocolate community. Anyone within the industry may be nominated, and anyone may submit a nomination. To ensure fairness and integrity:
- Nominations may not be submitted by a nominee’s employee, business partner, or direct associate
- Nominees must not be past recipients of the same award
- Final selections are determined by an expert review panel and/or FCIA Board
- Selections are based on demonstrated industry impact and alignment with award criteria
Click here to read about the nominating process and rules and to nominate someone for one of our three awards
Past FCIA Recognition of Excellence Recipients
Before establishing our current awards structure, FCIA honored leaders and contributors through the Recognition of Excellence in Fine Chocolate Awards. We proudly recognize the achievements of these past honorees whose work helped shape the industry.
2019 Recognition of Excellence
Outstanding Service to the Industry
- Héctor José Rizek, Rizek Cacao
Outstanding Contribution by a Fine Chocolatier
- Christopher Elbow, Christopher Elbow Chocolates
- Outstanding Contribution by a Fine Chocolate Maker/Manufacturer
- Maria Fernanda Di Giacobbe, Chef, Entrepreneur, Artist, Chocolatier
- Outstanding Contribution in Communications
- Clay Gordon, TheChocolateLife
- Lifetime Achievement
- Franceschi Family, Casa Franceschi
- Additional Past Award Recipients
- Outstanding Service to the Industry
- Chantal Coady
- Elaine Gonzales
- John Kehoe
- Carla Martin, PhD
- Matthew Stevens
- Mary Jo Stojak
- Pam Williams
Outstanding Contribution by a Fine Chocolatier
- Fran Bigelow
- Robert Linxe
- Michael Recchiuti
- Sibu Chocolate
Outstanding Contribution by a Fine Chocolate Maker/Manufacturer
- Michel Cluizel
- Steve De Vries
- Greg D’Alesandre
- Santiago Peralta
- Art Pollard
- Valrhona
- Alex Whitmore
Outstanding Contribution at Origin in Sustainability
- Brian Horsley
- Emily Stone
Innovation in Fine Chocolate Products
- Andal Balu
- Dr. Robert Steinberg
Outstanding Fine Chocolate Literature
- Alexander Morozoff
Innovation in Product Presentation
- Norman Love
Lifetime Achievement
- Larry Burdick
- Gary Guittard
- John Nanci
- Jacquy Pfeiffer
- John Scharffenberger
- Ed Seguine
- Mott Green
Celebrating Leadership in Fine Chocolate
At FCIA, awards are more than recognition; they are a celebration of leadership, craftsmanship, and vision. They honor people and organizations who challenge the industry to do better, think bigger, and build a stronger future for fine chocolate around the world.