Eighteen finalists for the first-ever Chocolate and Dessert Innovation (CADI) Awards have been announced.

A truly remarkable thing happened to me on the way to the European Candy Kettle Club (ECKC) award in Helsinki — I met the founder of the organization, Guy Urbain.

When I had the chance to break bread with Patrick Huffman, we talked. And talked. This year's 68th Kettle Award recipient is a great storyteller.

The ECKC does its over a period of three days, which includes a meet’n greet dinner, a plant tour, a mega reception, and a final farewell tour of the city and sights. In addition, the venue changes each year.

When I had the chance to break bread with Patrick Huffman, we talked. And talked. This year's 68th Kettle Award recipient is a great storyteller.

According to most projections, about 60 percent of all cocoa grown in 2020 will need to be certified. That’s equals to about 2 million more tons. How does one go about doing that, one asks?

Earlier this month, I had a chance to interview Craig Leva, president and ceo of Arway Confections in Chicago.

Now many people may not know that Virginia Dare was the first English baby born in the colonies, the daughter of Eleanor and Ananais Dare. Unfortunately, Virginia happened to be born in Roanoke Colony, the ill-fated settlement that disappeared shortly after its founding.

We then were treated to a Vosges Barcelona bar, which included Fleur de Sel grey sea salt and hickory smoked almonds in 45 percent milk chocolate. To enhance the experience, a wonderful merlot and a triple cream cheese accompanied the Barcelona bar. Chulo!

The exclusive range, which “combines legacy and modernity and inspires artisan chefs and craftsmen,” features 22 individual products, including dark and milk couvertures, white chocolate, cocoa powders, cocoa butter, compound coatings made with non-hydrogenated fats and service products.