The Highland Chocolatier wins five awards for his Velvet Truffles

A gourmet chocolatier from the Scottish Highlands scooped five awards for his unique Velvet Truffles at the Academy of Chocolate Awards last night, where entries from around the world were scored by leading food journalists and Michelin-starred chefs.

Perthshire-based Iain Burnett, owner of http://www.academyofchocolate.org.uk/academy/Awards/2011.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">The Highland Chocolatier](http://www.HighlandChocolatier.com), took home one bronze, two silver and two gold awards for each category he entered in the Best Truffle and Best Filled Chocolate sections.

The winning recipes included the Mild and Dark varieties of the truffle, and truffles infused with Assam Tea & Green Cardamon, Crushed Raspberries & Black Pepper, and White Lime & Chilli.

His confections are described as ‘pure' truffles without the hard shell that would obscure the flavour and silky-smooth texture, which took Burnett three years and more than 120 adjustments to perfect.

The Highland Chocolatier supplies a small clientele of Michelin-starred chefs and five-star hotels, including Albert Roux, Claridges and Gleneagles.

The [full list of winners can be viewedon the Academy of Chocolate website.