LLUC CRUSELLAS FROM SPAIN IS THE NEW WORLD CHOCOLATE MASTER
ANTOINE CARRÉRIC (FRANCE) AND NICOLAS NIKOLAKOPOULOS (GREECE) COMPLETE TOP 3
31 October 2022, Paris – Lluc Crusellas from Spain was crowned World Chocolate Master in Paris today at the Salon du Chocolat, along with the honor of calling himself the world’s finest chocolate craftsman for the next three years. Besides the much-coveted title, Crusellas also wins an exclusive co-creation with chocolate chefs from London’s world-renowned Harrods luxury department store. Crusellas won over not just the hearts of the judges, but also of the viewers at home who awarded him with the public #WOW award. Antoine Carréric from France and Nicolas Nikolakopoulos from Greece took home the silver and bronze medal.
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The World Chocolate Masters (WCM) is the only global competition dedicated to showcasing the artistic talent of world-class professionals in gastronomy, patisserie and chocolaterie. Since its inception in 2005, WCM has sought to pull back the curtain on what the world will see on the pastry shop counters and chocolate shelves of the future – even more so with this year’s edition, happening under the banner of #TMRW_TASTES_LOOKS_FEELS_LIKE.
After an intense three final days at Salon du Chocolat in Paris, Lluc Crusellas from Spain will be bringing home the title of World Chocolate Master. He won over the jury, presided by pastry chef and star of Netflix’s ‘School of Chocolate’ Amaury Guichon, with sensorial creations that highlighted his attention to detail, creativity, and knowledge of flavour. On the final day, Crusellas was able to present a brioche with zero sugar by using an enzyme - an amazing innovation that took the judges by surprise.
“It feels incredible to win the title of World Chocolate Master, after months and months of training - not just for me but for the full team who have been behind me along the way. I’ve absolutely dreamed about winning the title, but I never expected it, and to be able to take the award home feels amazing. This is not just a prize for me, but for the whole professional sector in in my country.”
As part of the grand prize, Crusellas will also benefit from an exclusive co-creation with chocolate chefs from Harrods luxury department store. The result of this unique collaboration will be displayed in the famous London luxury department store in spring of next year.
“The World Chocolate Masters have always been about pushing the boundaries of chocolate craftsmanship to new heights, and during this year’s competition Crusellas set a whole new standard for innovation and creativity,” said Amaury Guichon, Head of the WCM jury. “Amid fierce competition, the title of World Chocolate Master that he will be taking home is a tribute to the great skill, adventurous risk-taking, ingenuity and vision he has shown throughout the grand final.”
Completing the podium line-up, Antoine Carréric from France and Nicolas Nikolakopoulos from Greece took home the silver and bronze medal.
Crusellas also wins public vote
The World Chocolate Masters were an online hit this year: hundreds of thousands chocolate fanatics from all around the world tuned in via the livestream to follow the competition up close, voting en masse for their favorite.
In the end it was Lluc Crusellas from Spain who won over both jury and home viewers to scoop the grand prize. His stunning display portrayed a world in danger, with a beautifully sculpted elephant standing on a scorched earth showing two possible sides of the future. Earlier in the competition, Team Spain surprised the visitors at the Salon du Chocolat – handing out a 3D sculpted token to 600 lucky chocolate lovers.
Relive chocolate masters
You can relive the chocolate fantasy via the World Chocolate Masters website – home to all the creations, recipes and behind the scenes highlights that celebrate the stunning work of all 18 finalists in this 2022 edition.
Running since 2005, previous winners of the World Chocolate Masters have included the likes of Davide Comaschi from Italy, Vincent Vallée from France and Frank Haasnoot from The Netherlands whose sensorial designs, versatility and talent bring indulgence to life for chocolate lovers on a daily basis.
More information on the World Chocolate Masters:
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