Pastry Live – 2012 Chocolatier of the Year Competition Winners

Aug. 15, 2012 - PRLog -- Pastry Live is proud to announce that Chef Jerome Jacob of Bellagio Resort Hotel and Casino is the winner of the second annual Chocolatier of the Year competition. Ten chocolate artisans from across the country competed for the honored title of Chocolatier of the Year. Each chocolatier crafted a chocolate already sold within their shop, as well as a specialty enrobed chocolate of their choosing. Chocolates were judged based on the taste, creativity and workmanship of each chocolate.

Chef Jacob’s chocolate creations earned him superb scores among the judges with nearly perfect marks from all. His “Passion Banana” chocolate, filled with banana ganache and passion fruit jelly, was praised for its paper thin shell, while his “Macadamia Cardamom” bonbon received top scores for its originality of flavor and design. From his exceptional flavor profiles to his design execution, Chef Jacob displayed outstanding ability and skill, earning the title of Chocolatier of the Year.

Also receiving top marks, Chef Melissa Coppel of Jean-Marie Auboine Chocolates placed second within the competition with her Kona coffee infused “Coffee Delight” chocolate and her “Plaisir” recipe, a combination of raspberry pâte de fruit and homemade pistachio praline. As the industry judges were not the only ones critiquing each chocolate, she was the ultimate favorite among the audience, earning the People’s Choice Award with a staggering number of votes.

Returning competitor, Chef Frederic Loraschi of CHOCOLAT Frederic LORASCHI LLC took third place with his blackcurrant centered “Ultra” recipe and his cardamom-coffee ganache “Strong” bonbon. Each chocolate gained fine marks for their overall quality and flavor impressions.

The Chocolatier of the Year competition was designed with small chocolatier business owners in mind and offered the opportunity for these artisans to display their talents in a competitor friendly environment while offering national recognition for their skills. Pastry Live wishes to congratulate all of the winners, as well as thank each of the competitors for their professionalism, hard work and dedication.

For more details about Pastry Live and the Chocolatier of the Year competition, please contact Event Producer Paul Bodrogi at chef@pastrylive.com or (678) 881-9490. Further information is also available on our website at www.pastrylive.com.