Fusion Chocolate in Ilkley celebrates another award win

[Photo: Fusion Chocolate]

Fusion Chocolate in Ilkley has been crowned a winner in the Muddy Stilettos Awards 2026.

The annual awards, which celebrate the very best independent businesses across the UK, attracted almost half a million votes this year and reached an audience of around 14 million people nationwide.

Now in their 13th year, the Muddy Stilettos Awards recognise standout local businesses across a wide range of lifestyle categories, from hospitality and retail to wellbeing and fitness.

A number of local businesses made the finals, and the winners were revealed on Tuesday, 16 June, following a public nomination and voting process.

Among the winners was Fusion Chocolate UK based on Leeds Road in Ilkley, taking home the Best Artisan Food & Drink Producer award.

Paula Bui from Fusion Chocolate said:  "Thank you to each & every one of you that voted me, this award is so special because your support is what made it happen."

Fusion Chocolate has previous won a prestigious Great Taste Award, a Deliciously Yorkshire Taste Award and Ilkley Business Award.

A spokesperson for Muddy Stilettos said: "Well, that was wild! The cocktail glasses were overflowing as the Muddy Stilettos Awards 2026 romped to a close, having reached a mind-blowing 14 million people nationally over 12 weeks and nearly half a million votes cast. I know, bonkers!"A whopping great thank you to all our Muddy readers who took part or voted - the Muddy Awards are nothing without you."

A full list of finalists and winners is available on the Muddy Stilettos website: yorkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/winners/.