One of the first recipes I learned to make as a kid was the chocolate chip cookie.
It’s a simple, familiar treat, but there’s an incredible amount of room for creativity. Crisp or chewy. Classic or unexpected. A little salt, a different flour, a favorite chocolate, or a technique passed down through a family—every baker has a point of view.
That’s why I’m excited to introduce C4: the Chocolate Chip Cookie Competition, debuting at this year’s Portland Craft Chocolate Festival.
C4 is a fun, community-centered competition built around one of my all-time favorites. It gives bakers of different ages and experience levels a chance to share their craft, celebrate great chocolate, and put their best cookies to the test.
Three Ways to Compete
The inaugural C4 competition includes three divisions:
- Youth: Ages 12 and younger
- Home Bakers
- Professional Bakers
There is no entry fee this year, and each baker may submit one entry.
To participate, register online by September 15, 2026. Each entrant will prepare one dozen—12—of their best chocolate chip cookies and deliver them to Ranger Chocolate Co. on Friday, October 2. Registered bakers will receive complete drop-off instructions before the event.
Competitors are not required to attend the final judging, but every participant will receive a single-day festival ticket for Saturday, October 3.
Before entering, please review the official C4 competition guidelines.
Meet the Judges
Final judging will take place at 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, with a panel that brings together professional baking experience, chocolate expertise, food-business leadership, and Portland community perspectives:
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George Domurot, founder and CEO of Ranger Chocolate Co. and founder of the Portland Craft Chocolate Festival
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Dillon DeBauche, owner of Little T American Baker
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Kaitlin Hansen, Marketing & Operations at The Meadow
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Jesse Schumann, co-owner of Sea Wolf
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Yvonne Smoker, Food and Beverage Manufacturing Industry Liaison at Prosper Portland
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Keith Wilson, Mayor of Portland
Mayor Wilson will join the final judging panel and announce the gold, silver, and bronze winners in each division.
Gold winners will receive trophies, curated gift boxes featuring products from local makers and festival vendors, and—of course—chocolate chip cookie bragging rights. Silver- and bronze-place finishers will receive trophies and surprise treats.
Growing the Festival
C4 is one of several new experiences we’re introducing as the Portland Craft Chocolate Festival returns for its second year, October 2–4, 2026, at the Olympic Mills Building.
The response to our inaugural festival showed us how much enthusiasm there is for craft chocolate in Portland and throughout the region. This year, we’re returning with a significantly expanded lineup of craft chocolate makers and artisan food producers.
The weekend will also include curated tastings, educational panels, interactive workshops, a Fan Favorite tasting experience, and a VIP Meet the Makers event.
The festival has always been about more than tasting chocolate. It’s about connecting makers with the public, helping small businesses find new opportunities, and creating a place where people can share ideas, flavors, and experiences.
C4 brings that same spirit to the chocolate chip cookie.
If you have a recipe you’re proud of, we’d love to try it.
Registration closes September 15, 2026. Find complete competition details at pdxccf.com/chocolate-chip-cookie-competition.html.
—George Domurot
Founder, Portland Craft Chocolate Festival
Founder and CEO, Ranger Chocolate Co.