International experts and professionals in the chocolate industry awarded Madison’s CocoVaa Chocolatier 17 total awards at the Claridges Hotel in London, England Wednesday night. The Academy of Chocolate Awards presented Vata Edari, owner and principal chocolatier of CocoVaa Chocolatier, with two gold, eight silver and seven bronze awards.

The Academy of Chocolate, which was founded in 2005 by five of Britain’s leading chocolate professionals, united in the belief that eating fine chocolate is one of life’s great pleasures, also announced that Edari was an “International Rising Star for 2018.”

Syovata Edari

“Sharing the stage with some of the world’s best makers and designers of fine chocolate, winning so many awards and being named an International Rising Star is the greatest honor and a dream come true,” Edari said.

Entries were received from traditional chocolate-making producers in the UK, Europe, Canada and the USA, as well as newer producers from countries such as Colombia, Croatia and Korea. This year, they had 1,200 submissions – a record high number of entries from over 45 different countries all over the world.

Edari brought her children along with her to London to receive their awards. Emayu, age 18, and Solomon, age 10, have been actively involved in the business operations and inspire many of Edari’s flavor and design concepts for CocoVaa Chocolatier, which is building a larger production and retail space at The Marling at 1815 East Washington Ave. on Madison’s east side which should be open in the fall of 2018 with expanded hours.

“I wanted my kids to see and to enjoy the benefits of our collective hard work and perseverance.” Edari said “My kids took the stage with me. They deserve this as much as I do.”