Combined Level 1 & Level 2 Certificate in Chocolate Tasting, 22 Jun 2025, Union City, Greater New York

The Combined course takes you directly through to Intermediate level in a concentrated four-day workshop course.
Level 1 provides in introduction to a sensorial approach to chocolate tasting and a good grounding in chocolate tasting, including tasting of 9 or more different origin or blended fine dark chocolate bars, tasted in different forms for an understanding of aroma, length, texture and taste.

The first day finishes with a 60-minute multiple choice exam for Level 1 based on the course content. Certificates will be issued upon achieving a pass mark.

The Level 2 intermediary course explores the world of fine and origin chocolate in greater depth, looking in detail at the styles of different chocolate makers and different approaches to chocolate making, from micro-batch to large scale. Treatment and flaws in cacao are examined as well as the chocolate production chain and how these contribute to flavor.

The course’s approach to chocolate history focuses on taste and the current chocolate market. Students will taste over 25 chocolate bars with repeat tasting, profiling and blind tasting to gain a full understanding.

Level 2 introduces the Institute’s online chocolate profiling system, which will be used throughout the course working with laptops of tablets.

The course is held over three intense days and provides fuller understanding of fine chocolate and its flavor possibilities.

The course finishes on the final day with a 60-minute multiple choice exam based on the course content and a blind tasting test. Certificates will be issued upon achieving a pass mark.

The course will have limited availability, as it will be a small group, seminar-style learning.

About the Combined Level 1 and Level 2 course in Greater New York

This combined bilingual Level 1-2 course will be held at our new IICCT classroom in Casa Gran Cacao Americas, Union City. Situated just four blocks from Boulevard East, the venue is a mere 22 minutes away from Midtown Manhattan via train, bus, or ferry.

Union City, at the heart of New Jersey’s vibrant Latin community, resonates with the spirit of the agricultural cacao communities that IICCT collaborates with and proudly supports. Its lively, charming, and walkable streets are filled with restaurants and markets representing the diverse cultures of Latin America, promising an enriching backdrop for the learning experience.

The course has been thoughtfully scheduled to coincide with the Fancy Food Show, taking place at the Jacob Javitz Convention Center—right across the Hudson River—starting Sunday, June 29. This makes it perfect for students visiting New York who wish to enjoy both learning and networking opportunities during their stay.

The course will be taught in English and Spanish by Dr. Maricel E. Presilla, one of IICCT’s founders and the director of the International Chocolate Awards Americas competition. Dr. Presilla is an esteemed author of several books, including The New Taste of Chocolate: A Cultural and Natural History of Cacao with Recipes (Ten Speed Press), Gran Cocina Latina: The Food of Latin America (W.W. Norton), and Peppers of the Americas (Ten Speed Press).

A recognized authority in Latin American cuisine, cacao, and chocolate, Dr. Presilla also serves as president of Gran Cacao Americas, a company committed to research and agroecological innovation in sustainable cacao production and fine chocolate in the Americas.

A Latin American inspired lunch will be offered. Let us know if you have any dietary restriction.

For information about the course and payment methods, as well as for transportation details and lodging recommendations, contact Dr. Presilla directly by email at grancacao@aol.com. In your registration application include full name, gender, date of birth, email, home address and phone number.