The Grand Confection Award
RCI's prestigious Grand Confection Award returns for 2026! The Grand Confection Award is an opportunity for RCI members to highlight skillfully crafted chocolates and confections and be judged anonymously based on an excellence criteria during the RCI Candy Convention. Each year a different confection will be selected to be the focus of that year.
THE 2026 CONFECTION OF THE YEAR IS THE CREAM.
A cream is a soft, smooth confection composed of a fondant-based or buttercream-based center, fully enrobed in chocolate. To
qualify, entries must be prepared entirely by the entrant, using ingredients of their own selection. The use of commercially prepared fillings is not permitted.
Click here for guidelines.
Deadline for entry submissions: May 1, 2026
To enter product for consideration as the Grand Confection, participants must complete the entry form below by
May 1, 2026.
Grand Confection Award: Frequently Asked Questions
For the 2026 Confection of the Year: The Cream
About the Award
What is the Grand Confection Award?
The Grand Confection Award celebrates RCI members’ skillfully crafted chocolates and confections. Each year, entries are judged anonymously during the RCI Candy Convention based on excellence criteria tied to a specific Confection of the Year.
What is the 2026 Confection of the Year?
The 2026 Confection of the Year is the cream—a confection with a fondant-based or buttercream-based center, smooth and soft in consistency, and fully enrobed in chocolate.
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Eligibility & Entry Requirements
- Who is eligible to enter?
You must be an active RCI member in good standing, with 2026 membership dues paid in full, and you must be present at the 2026 RCI Candy Convention to participate. At least one representative must be registered to attend the Awards Banquet on June 10, 2026.
- Is there an entry fee?
No. There is no entry fee to participate.
- Can I enter more than one product?
No. There is a limit of one entry per company.
- Does the entry have to be a product we currently sell?
Yes. Entries must be products sold in your retail store prior to May 1, 2026. Items still in development will not be accepted.
- Can I use commercially prepared fillings?
No. Commercially prepared fillings are not permitted. All components must be prepared entirely by the entrant.
- Do I need to include ingredient labels?
Yes. Entries must include complete ingredient labels following U.S. or Canadian labeling requirements.
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Submission Process
- How do I submit my entry?
Complete the online application and include a high-resolution photo of your product by May 1, 2026.
- When and where do I deliver physical samples?
You must deliver 10 physical samples to the judges’ room on Tuesday morning, June 9, at The Westin Indianapolis. Late samples cannot be accepted. Delivery times will be provided to entrants closer to the event.
- Do I need to supply packaged product for display?
Yes. You must provide packaged product for display during the RCI Candy Convention.
- Will entries be returned?
No. Submissions will not be returned after judging.
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Judging
- How will my entry be judged?
All entries are judged anonymously by a panel of confectionery professionals using the following criteria:
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Criteria
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Points
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Flavor of cream highlighted
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40
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Flavor balance and craveability
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30
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Originality
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10
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Appearance
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10
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Texture
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10
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- When does judging take place?
Judging will take place June 9, 2026, during the RCI Candy Convention at The Westin Indianapolis.
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Awards & Recognition
- When will finalists and the winner be announced?
Three finalists and the winner of the 2026 Grand Confection Award will be announced during the Awards Banquet on June 10, 2026.
- Do I need to attend the banquet?
Yes. At least one company representative must be registered to attend.
- Can I share samples with other attendees?
Yes. Contestants are encouraged—but not required—to share samples with RCI members during the Membership Meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026.
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