Bibamba Artisan Chocolate Named Best Chocolatier in Denver by Westword (2026)

We’re honored to share that Bibamba Artisan Chocolate has been named Best Chocolatier in Denver by Westword in the 2026 Best of Denver awards.

This recognition highlights what we’ve been building from the beginning: high-quality, ethically sourced chocolate made through a true farm-to-table model—from cacao grown on our family farm in Cameroon to finished chocolate crafted here in Denver.

Why This Award Matters

Westword’s Best of Denver is one of the city’s most recognized annual awards, celebrating standout businesses across food, drink, and culture.

Patrick Tcheunou, Co-founder & CEO, said:

At a time when many large chocolate manufacturers are changing ingredients and cutting corners, we’ve stayed committed to doing the opposite—maintaining transparency, quality, and a direct connection to our cacao. This award reinforces that people care about where their chocolate comes from and how it’s made.

Growing Recognition

The recognition comes amid growing national visibility for Bibamba, including:

• 2026 Fine Chocolate Industry Association (FCIA) Award Finalist - Nominated for the Mott Green Sustainability Award, honoring environmental stewardship, ethical sourcing, and regenerative practices.
  
• Snail of Approval from Slow Food Denver - Recognizing food businesses that share a commitment toward "good, clean, and fair food for all"
• Chocolate Factory Expansion — In late 2025, we expanded our chocolate factory at Edgewater Public Market to increase production capacity and meet growing demand for hands-on experiences, like our new chocolate tempering class, our popular chocolate truffle-making classes, private sessions, tastings, and tours.

Mara Tcheunou, Co-founder, commented:

We see real opportunity to inspire change through our partnerships, workshops, and community events—helping people understand cacao sourcing, sustainability, and what defines real chocolate. When people see the care and effort that goes into chocolate-making, it transforms how they experience it—and supports a more ethical, sustainable industry.

What Makes Bibamba Different

Bibamba is built on a simple but uncommon model: we grow our cacao ourselves.

That means:

• Direct oversight from farm to finished product
• Ethical sourcing and fair practices
• Chocolate that reflects its origin and craftsmanship

It’s a more intentional way of making chocolate—and one we believe leads to a better product and a better system.

Want a closer look at how we go from cacao to chocolate? This behind-the-scenes feature from Denver7 shares more about our farm, process, and what makes Bibamba different.

Experience Bibamba

If you haven’t visited yet, you can find us at Edgewater Public Market, where you can taste our chocolate, shop gifts, and learn more about the journey from cacao to chocolate.

Or shop our award-winning chocolate from home, and have it delivered right to your doorstep.

Not sure where to start? Try these bundles for a variety of flavors and the best value!

👉 Bestsellers Bundle — Discover what made us Denver's best with award-winning favorites, top-sellers, and the bon bons Westword calls "borderline addictive."

👉 Taste of Cameroon — Five of our most popular flagship dark chocolate bags plus our #1 seller, Paté au Chocolat

👉 Chocolate Lovers Collection — This gift box is full of an irresistible mix of 16 pieces of Bibamba's best dark, milk, and white chocolate creations, from our signature truffles to unique chocolate squares and rich caramels.