Raspberry Royale by Sweet Vegan Chocolates. Photo courtesy of Sweet Vegan Chocolates.
NYC-based chocolatier takes second place in the 2026 Artisan Flave Awards' Chocolate category, marking its second consecutive year among the category's top three
NEW YORK, N.Y., August 31, 2026 — Sweet Vegan Chocolates, the NYC-based artisan chocolatier founded by Chef Andrea Young, was awarded second place in the Snacks and Treats - Chocolate category at the 2026 Artisan Flave Awards, organized by the International Flavor Awards, for its Raspberry Royale truffle. The honor marks the second consecutive year a Sweet Vegan chocolate has placed among the category's top three, following a third-place finish for Midnight Passion in 2025.
Raspberry Royale pairs an organic raspberry creamy ganache with a rich, 70% dark chocolate. Crafted without dairy, nuts, soy or gluten, the truffle was evaluated in the competition's general chocolate category through the International Flavor Awards' blind-judging process.
The 2026 Artisan Flave Awards drew more than 320 products from 12 countries competing across 41 categories. The International Flavor Awards says its blind judging is designed to provide impartial evaluation, with judges including restaurateurs, purveyors, manufacturers and members of the food-focused community.
"For us, this recognition is especially meaningful because Raspberry Royale was judged for what matters most - its flavor," said Chef Andrea Young, founder and CEO of Sweet Vegan Chocolates. "We have always believed that creating chocolate for people with different dietary needs should never require compromising the experience of exceptional chocolate. Raspberry Royale reflects that philosophy: thoughtful ingredients, a beautiful balance of fruit and dark chocolate, and flavor first."
Sweet Vegan's second-place finish builds on its 2025 Artisan Flave Awards recognition, when Midnight Passion earned third place in the chocolate category. The two placements recognize two different truffles in consecutive years and underscore the company's flavor-first approach to plant-based confectionery.
The recognition adds to Sweet Vegan's growing reputation in New York's specialty chocolate market. The company describes itself as NYC's #1-rated vegan chocolate, a distinction based on its strong consumer ratings and Google reviews.
For Young, the recognition reinforces Sweet Vegan's broader approach to inclusive confectionery: creating premium chocolates that stand on their own for flavor and craftsmanship while expanding the experience to consumers whose dietary requirements can limit their choices in the chocolate category.
The International Flavor Awards describes the Artisan Flave Awards as a platform for small- and medium-sized food businesses to be judged alongside similarly sized food companies from around the world.
About Sweet Vegan Chocolates
Sweet Vegan Chocolates is a NYC-based artisan chocolate company founded by Chef Andrea Young. Guided by its signature promise, "Indulgence Without Compromise," Sweet Vegan creates handcrafted, plant-based chocolates made without dairy, nuts, soy or gluten, bringing together premium confectionery, inclusive gifting and distinctive flavor. The company serves individual, corporate and hospitality customers with artisan truffles, chocolate bars, seasonal collections and custom gifting experiences.
Media Contact
Andrea Young | Founder & CEO
Sweet Vegan Chocolates
[email protected] | www.sweetvegan.nyc
Instagram: @sweetvegannyc