Montreal/Canada – The Canadian National selection for the 2014-2015 World Chocolate Masters took place on April 17th at the new Chocolate Academy™ Centre, Montreal. Michaël Cotard – Cotard Chocolatier, Christophe Bonzon – Chez Christophe Pâtisserie Chocolaterie and Christophe Sportellini – Maison Christian Faure, three participants from the confectionery and pastry sectors demonstrated their chocolate expertise and creativity during this breath-taking competition, where they were evaluated by esteemed and renowned chocolate and pastry professionals in front of over 100 guests. Michaël Cotard was at his third attempt, and as we say, the third time’s the charm! Michaël Cotard won the title of the 2015 Canadian Chocolate Master!
The World Chocolate Masters, the 6th edition of the premium international competition solely dedicated to the Art of chocolate, started in September 2014 with a series of national selections that have been held around the world. Contestants have competed against each other in national pre-selections for the chance to represent their country at the 2015 grand international final in Paris October 28-30, 2015.
President of the Jury:
- Philippe Vancayseele, Technical Director Chocolate Academy™ Montreal
Members of the jury:
- Nicolas Dutertre, Technical Advisor Chocolate Academy™ Montreal
- Roland Del Monte, M.O.F., Pastry Chef – Hotel Sofitel Montreal
- Jean-Marc Guillot, M.O.F., Ice Cream and Sorbet Master – Sorbets et Glaces Essences
- Eric Gonzalez, Executive Chef – Mont-Tremblant Casino
- Christophe Morel, Chocolate Master – CM Chocolatier
- Nancy Samson, Chocolate Master – Nancy Samson Chocolaterie
Media jury members who elected their “coup de coeur”.
- Lesley Chesterman, gastronomy journalist – The Gazette
- Philippe Mollé, gastronomy journalist – Le Devoir, Première Chaîne de Radio-Canada
During this contest entirely dedicated to the creative use of chocolate and “Inspiration from Nature”, each contestant had to make one chocolate showpiece and one moulded praline. All new this year, the “Cake of the day” assignment had to be prepared with daily fresh ingredients and the “Chocolate to go” was another new task in which participants created a whole concept of chocolate snack. At the end of this exciting competition, Michaël Cotard became the Canadian Chocolate Master and will represent Canada at the grand international final in Paris on October 28-29-30, 2015.
The Canadian World Chocolate Masters 2015 – Results
- 1st place: Michaël Cotard
- 2nd place: Christophe Bonzon
- 3rd place: Christophe Sportellini
Category prizes:
- Best showpiece: Michaël Cotard
- Best Cake of the Day: Christophe Bonzon
- Best Bonbon: Christophe Bonzon
- Best “Chocolate to go”: tie between Christophe Bonzon & Michaël Cotard
- Media prize “coup de coeur”: Christophe Bonzon
INSPIRATION FROM NATURE: a challenging theme that demands the utmost from each contestant.
The theme “Inspiration from Nature” invites chocolate creators around the world to explain how natural products are shaped and transformed into a delightful story with cocoa and chocolate at the heart. Indeed, nature proves to be a strong source of sensorial inspiration. Whether it is the colours and flavours, the sounds of the ocean, the change of seasons, nature is all around us and affecting our moods. At the same time, we want more pure, authentic and high-quality ingredients. For us, food is more than just food. So this year, creating a dish will be more challenging than ever. The contestants will have to play with colours, shapes, scents, textures. It will take a long journey of trial and error to bring taste, contrast and looks in perfect balance – a balance that in rare cases turns out to become a timeless masterpiece.
More about the 3 World Chocolate Masters Candidates for the Canadian Selection:
MICHAËL COTARD – Canadian Chocolate Master 2014-2015 (St-Sauveur, Quebec) Michaël Cotard, chef and owner of Cotard Chocolatier has participated in several competitions since the beginning of his career, including the Canadian qualifying round for the 2013 World Chocolate Masters, during which he won the award for best layered chocolate cake. He also finished second at the Canadian qualifying round in Toronto for the 2011 World Chocolate Masters. www.cotardchocolatier.com
CHRISTOPHE BONZON (Burnaby – British Columbia) Christophe Bonzon is an award-winning pastry chef and chocolatier that brings a small taste of Switzerland to Canada with Chez Christophe Chocolaterie and Patisserie. Christophe's C.V. is studded with over a decade full of intense apprenticeships and coursework in the fine art of pastry and chocolate. He has studied under the wings of some of Europe's most renowned grand masters. Following his training years, Christophe has held various positions, including pastry chef at Confiserie Schneider in Switzerland, followed by Choux Cafe in Western Australia. He also worked as an Executive Pastry Chef at one of the finest French Pastry Shops in Perth. www.christophe-chocolat.com
CHRISTOPHE SPORTELLINI (Montreal, Quebec)
After working for renowned culinary houses in the south of France such as l’Hôtel du Cap Eden Roc in Antibes and the Castellaras, Christophe Sportellini opened his own pastry shop in Fayence. He’s been living with his family in Quebec, Canada since 2012. Currently, he’s Head of Production at the Maison Christian Faure in Old Montreal. His desserts were praised in the celebrated gastronomic magazine Thuriès in 2010. This is not the first competition Christophe has entered, given the fact that he won second price in the Duval Leroy competition for pastry of the year in 2006. www.maisonchristianfaure.ca
The World Chocolate Masters is the premium international competition solely dedicated to the Art of chocolate. The contest is open to the most talented chocolate professionals of the world. The winners of each national selection will represent their country at the international final, which will be held October 28 -30, 2015 at the Salon du Chocolat in Paris.
Thank you to our sponsors for their precious collaboration: FARINEX, ABC EMBALLUXE, CHOCOLATE WORLD, DEMARLE, THERMOMIX, MOL D’ART.
To view the competition photo album, please follow the link: http://on.fb.me/1P6pxAh
For more information on the competition, please visit our website www.worldchocolatemasters.com
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About The World Chocolate Masters (www.worldchocolatemasters.com):
The World Chocolate Masters, the international premium competition solely dedicated to the art of chocolate, was born in 2005. It is an initiative of the leading gourmet brand Cacao Barry. This prestigious competition takes place every two years, with national selections around the world building up to the grand final taking place in Paris, home of Cacao Barry, during the Salon du chocolat. The title of National Chocolate Master and that of the World Chocolate Master are sought after achievements which bestow upon the candidates global recognition.
Canadian National Chocolate Masters finalists:
2005 – Christophe Morel
2007 – Christophe Morel
2009 – Romain Leemann
2011 – Véronique Rousseau
2013 – Olivier Tribut
2015 – Michaël Cotard
World Chocolate Masters Final 2015: October 28-29-30 2015, Paris.
About Cacao Barry® (www.cacao-barry.com):
By constantly inventing and reinventing Pastry and Gastronomy, France gave its name and mark to this art. It is a tradition envied by the whole world. It is all about creativity, innovation, and above all passion. Since its creation in 1842, Cacao Barry® has been entirely committed to this heritage. Today Cacao Barry® provides the most complete palette of products, to all passionate chocolate craftsmen around the world: chocolate and couvertures, pralinés, origins and exclusive plantations, decorations and moulds, inspiring them and opening doors to new creative experiences. Besides, Cacao Barry® offers the widest international community of chocolate professionals, Ambassadors’ Club and Chocolate Academies to support craftsmen and chefs on their quest for perfection. Cacao Barry® is a global Gourmet brand of the Barry Callebaut group, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cacao.
About Barry Callebaut Group (www.barry-callebaut.com):
With annual sales of about CHF 4.9 billion (EUR 4.0 billion / USD 5.2 billion) in fiscal year 2012/13, the Zurich-based Barry Callebaut Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products – from sourcing and processing cocoa beans to producing the finest chocolates, including chocolate fillings, decorations and compounds. The Group runs more than 50 production facilities worldwide and employs a diverse and dedicated global workforce of over 9,000 people.
The Barry Callebaut Group serves the entire food industry, from industrial food manufacturers to artisanal and professional users of chocolate, such as chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakers, hotels, restaurants or caterers. The two global brands catering to the specific needs of these Gourmet customers are Callebaut® and Cacao Barry®. The Barry Callebaut Group is committed to sustainable cocoa production through its “Cocoa Horizons” initiative to help ensure future supplies of cocoa as well as improve farmer livelihoods.
Source: The World Chocolate Masters
