Winans Coffee & Chocolates Wins RCI's 2026 Grand Confection Award

Congratulations to Winans Coffee & Chocolate, winner of the 2026 Grand Confection Award. Pictured (from left): Lynne Fascia Mouanes of Fascia's Chocolates (finalist), Jill Larger of Winans Coffee & Chocolate (winner), Glenn Hartley of Joy Lyn's Candies (finalist) and Valerie Cannon of Speckled Hen Chocolate Company (finalist)

Indianapolis, IN – June 10, 2026 – Retail Confectioners International (RCI) named Winans Coffee & Chocolates of Piqua, Ohio, as the winner of the 2026 Grand Confection Award during the RCI Candy Convention in Indianapolis. Winans earned top honors for its Highlander Grogg Cream, combining the flavors of Highlander Grogg coffee—caramel, butterscotch and a touch of scotch whiskey—with a smooth cream center enrobed in dark chocolate.

Now in its third year, the Grand Confection Award celebrates excellence in confectionery craftsmanship by recognizing outstanding chocolates and confections created by RCI members. This year's featured confection was the cream, a fondant-based or buttercream-based center enrobed in chocolate.

A panel of judges anonymously evaluated 11 entries from confectioners across the United States and Canada based on how each piece highlighted the cream center, as well as flavor balance, craveability, originality, appearance and texture. This year's judges included Doug Dressman of Esther Price Candies, Randy Hofberger of R&D Candy Consultants, Gregory Power of Las Olas Confections and Snacks and Jeffery Smith of Peterbrooke Chocolatier.

The following finalists were also recognized for their exceptional entries:

• Crème Brûlée Cream — Fascia's Chocolates, Waterbury, Connecticut
• Dark Raspberry Cream — Joy Lyn's Candies, Paradise, California
• Hot Honey Chocolate Cream — Speckled Hen Chocolate Company, Saxonburg, Pennsylvania

"This year's entries showcased an impressive level of creativity and craftsmanship for a classic American confection," said Angie Burlison, executive director of RCI. "The Grand Confection Award highlights the talent found throughout our industry, and we're proud to recognize these confectioners for their outstanding work."

All competition entries were displayed during the RCI Candy Convention and featured in a special section of RCI's Convention Magazine. Click here to view the full list of entries and participants.

Contact:
Lacey Hesse, Marketing Manager
lacey@retailconfectioners.org
417-883-2775

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Retail Confectioners International (RCI) is a not-for-profit trade association serving the confectionery industry. Based in Springfield, MO, RCI has represented the interests of confectionery manufacturing retailers and promoted public interest in these products for over 100 years. RCI provides a forum for confectioners to network, share ideas and develop their candy-making and entrepreneurial skills. For more information, please visit www.retailconfectioners.org.