A FOUR Marks teenager is heading off to the spice island of Grenada after winning this year’s British Spiced Chocolate Challenge at the Chocolate Show in London.

Zara Snell, 19, a student at the National Baking School, won with her Moroccan Rose chocolate after a dramatic finish against fellow finalists Barry-Callebaut Chocolate Academy at Banbury and Paul Wayne Gregory, famed for his chocolate sculptures.

Awarding Zara the prize, the six judges, ranging from culinary editors to a television chef, thought it was “absolutely delicious” from a chocolate maker “who really knows what she is doing”.

All the tasting was done blind and the judges didn’t know the identity of the five finalists until they had made their decision.

There were three stages of judging throughout the competition, which began back in the summer and attracted more than 70 entries.

The aim of the competition had been to create a spiced chocolate from a choice of more than 200 spices provided by spice company Seasoned Pioneers.

The panel of judges was headed by Joanna Simon, the wine and food editor at House & Garden magazine.

Zara, who was highly commended in last year’s chocolate challenge, said she was delighted to win.

“I didn’t think I’d make it through the first round. I’m so looking forward to heading off to Grenada for next year’s Chocolate Festival. I’ve found it really inspirational to work with the spices for this year’s competition and can’t wait to try them out over there and meet the farmers themselves.”

The top prize was sponsored by the island of Grenada with their travel partner British Airways.

Sharon Bernstein, director UK & Ireland from the Grenada Tourism Authority, said Zara’s success was excellent news.

“Part of our role in the UK is to encourage people to better understand Grenada’s chocolate and spice industries. Zara, at 19, is just starting out and she will experience all that at the Grenadian Chocolate Festival for herself and it will influence her for the rest of her career. We couldn’t be happier!”