Results from the World Chocolate Masters

November 2, 2011, Paris – After three-days of competition between nineteen national chocolate masters, the results of the fourth World Chocolate Masters competition have been announced.

November 2, 2011, Paris – After three-days of competition between
nineteen national chocolate masters, the results of the fourth World
Chocolate Masters competition have been announced.

At this year's world finals, Frank Haasnoot, winner of the Dutch World Chocolate Masters preselection, was selected as the World Chocolate Master 2011. Haasnoot was crowned by an international jury composed of twenty-two leading chocolate professionals. In second place was Yoshiaki Uezaki from Japan and Denmark's Palle Sorensen captured third place.

With the theme of this year's competition being "cocoa, Quetzalcoatl's gift", the jury carefully evaluated the contestants' work and creativity through chocolate. The jury was headed by president of honour, Shigeo Hirai, the 2009 World Chocolate Master. The jury also included presidents Jacquy Pfeiffer, a well-known chef from the United States, and Arnaud Larher, Meilleur Ouvrier de France.

In addition to the overall winners, the jury gave special awards for best praline, best gastronomic chocolate dessert, best chocolate pastry and best chocolate showpiece.

Canada's own Veronique Rousseau won the award for the most voted online showpiece. Her piece shows a sculpted chocolate goddess, dressed with the skeleton of a snake and feathers.

As overall winner, Haasnoot was awarded the World Chocolate Masters trophy, specially created by leading Dutch designer Rob Verhoeven, as well as a €25,000 prize package.

The World Chocolate Masters is an initiative of Barry Callebaut's gourmet brands Cacao Barry, Callebaut and Carma.

For full results, visit www.worldchocolatemasters.com.

Showpieces created during the World Chocolate Masters competition on display.

Veronique Rousseau's showpiece won more online votes than any other competitors work.

Frank Haasnoot, of The Netherlands, was crowned the World Chocolate Master 2011.