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Published: 4 July 2025
The Sweet As Hot Chocolate Challenge has so far provided more than 80,000 cups of chocolatey joy and is set to add to that impressive tally during its 10th edition.
Over the first nine years of the competition, more than 120 different hot chocolate recipes were created with favourites such as the impressively named Freezy Mallow Elegance, Do the Hokey Pokey and Lady Macadamia.
The challenge is a much-loved winter warmer for Lower Hutt and this year’s 10th birthday celebration is no different.
It sees 15 central Lower Hutt cafes and eateries stirring things up with their most imaginative and decadent hot choc creations — guaranteed to melt even the chilliest mid-winter moods.
The competition runs from 27 June to 13 July. You can see the list of participants and their glorious creations here
Family-operated Espresso High have entered the challenge for the fifth consecutive year. Rane Magno says it’s a special time in the hospitality calendar.
“It’s an opportunity to show a little of our Filipino culture with Lower Hutt by turning one of our favourite dishes into a lovey drink called Champorado.
“Sweet As, which coincides with the school holidays, is also a great time for us to meet lots of locals, which we love doing.”
Hot choc drinkers get to vote for the best concoction by simply scanning a QR code in each outlet and selecting a yeah-nah, sweet or sweet-as rating.
Voters can also be in to win a haul of sweet prizes in the Sweetstake after customers collect three special stickers when buying drinks.
And to mark the big One-O, the challenge is welcoming a trio of judges: renowned pastry chef Maxine Scheckter (Sugar Flour Pastry School), WelTec Hospitality Manager Toby Sanderson, and rising star Ava Richards as the Youth Judge. With tastebuds tuned to delicious, they’ll be helping crown 2025’s most decadent drop.
So, head to a participating outlet, wrap your hands around a mug, explore the local gems and raise a toast — or a marshmallow — to 10 sweet years.
Sweet As Hot Chocolate Challenge is organised by the Southend Business Group in collaboration with Hutt City Council.
The Sweet As Challenge is sponsored by CK & Co, and the Sweetstake is supported by CK & Co, Orly Boutique, Shott Beverages, The Chocolate Story in Petone, and the "Sugar Flour Pastry School.”