The World Chocolate Masters, an initiative of Cacao Barry, one of the gourmet brands of the Barry Callebaut Group, recently crowned Vincent Vallée from France as the newest World Chocolate Master. For the next three years Vallée will wear the title of world’s best chocolate craftsman. He gets the unique opportunity to visit a cocoa plantation and his work will be displayed in the world-renowned Harrods department store in London.

“During the competition Vincent Vallée set a whole new standard for innovation and creativity,” says Jean-Michel Perruchon, president of the jury of renowned chefs and food specialists. “The title of World Chocolate Master is a tribute to the skill, ingenuity and vision he has shown during the final.”

Twenty competing chefs were welcomed on stage at Le Salon du Chocolate in Paris, France. Following a dazzling chocolate fashion show, all chefs were introduced to the crowd. Armed with whisk, spatula and tons of inspiration they battled for glory and recognition as the world’s most talented chocolate craftsman.

During round 1 chocolatiers crafted a ‘Sweet Snack on the Go’, a molded praline and an artistic chocolate showpiece. The chefs also presented their unique ‘Or Noir’-chocolate that each of them made in Cacao Barry’s OR NOIR laboratory.