Pastry Live 2014 – Chocolatier of the Year Finalists Announced

ATLANTA - June 1, 2014 - PRLog -- Pastry Live is proud to announce the 2014 Chocolatier of the Year competitors! These expert chocolatiers will create and present artisan chocolates displaying their craftsmanship to a judging panel and the event’s audience on Sunday, August 24^th, 2014.

Carefully selected for their expertise and abilities, each competitor will be required to produce two different chocolates sold in their shop. As both taste and appearance are key criteria to be evaluated, each chocolatier will have to meticulously handcraft their creations in order to obtain the title of Chocolatier of the Year.

2014 Chocolatier of the Year finalists are:

Cesar Barachina, Turningstone Casino Resort, NY

William Brown, William Dean Chocolates, FL

Robyn Dochterman, St. Croix Chocolate Co., MN

Justin Fry, Norman Love Confections, FL

Brandon Lee, Modern Chocolatier, GA

Kevin Lindee, Ganache: Truffles For Every Occasion, MN

Abderrahmane Neggaz, Chocotenango, DC

Karen Neugebauer, Forte Chocolates, WA

Robert Nieto, Jackson Family Wines, CA

Deden Putra, The Peninsula, NY

Rodrigo Romo, Tout Chocolat, Mexico

Annie Rupani, Cacao & Cardamom, TX

Andrea Smith, Chocolate F/X, GA

Jordan Snider, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, NV

Charity Teague, Charity Teague Confections, NM

Tamarra Thomas, Mama Cocoa's Delights, MD

Darcy (Bishop) Thrasher, Cero's Candies, KS

Laurent Vals, Laurent Vals Handcrafted Chocolates, RI

John Walsh, Tampa Bay Times, FL

Ayaka Yamamoto, The Ritz Carlton Orlando Grande, FL

The Chocolatier of the Year competition is designed with small chocolatier business owners in mind, offering national recognition for their skills and the opportunity for these artisans to display their talents in a competitor friendly environment. In order to give the audience a voice in the judging process, attendees will have the chance to taste test the competitor’s chocolates and vote for their favorite chocolatier for the People’s Choice Award.

Pastry Live will host the fourth annual event at its new location, 200 Peachtree, Atlanta’s most centrally–located and convenient event venue. After three successful years, the event’s overwhelming growth prompted the venue change in order to further expand its offerings while keeping the integrity of the event intact.

With the start of year four in a brand new location, the anticipation for this year is high. Come join us at this memorable event!

For more details about Pastry Live, please contact Sheila Artis at marketing@pastrylive.com or 770.652.2063 . Tickets and further information are also available on our website at www.pastrylive.com.