Yesterday at a series of live events across the globe, Cacao Barry revealed the theme for this years’ World Chocolate Masters competition.

Selections will take place in the twenty participating countries over the course of next year. Only one contestant from each country will be crowned ‘National Chocolate Master’. For the UK and Ireland, pre-selections will be in October 2017.

The World Chocolate Masters is regarded as an esteemed competition for pastry and chocolate chefs. The 2017/2018 competition invites participants to create pieces for ‘Futuropolis’ - based on the growing phenomenon of ‘megacities’. A modern and inspiring concept, this year’s WCM invites contestants to use techniques and create taste sensations that think towards the future of gastronomy.

Joost Lindeman – Global Brand Manager for Cacao Barry said that:
“The World Chocolate Masters has always been the platform where new talents showcase how they push the boundaries of chocolate. What chefs have created there has often been a preview of a new trend that was later seen on the high street.

"We’re really looking forward to seeing the new take on chocolate by young, millennial chefs and their ideas of flavour creation, combining it with savory elements, plants, locally grown ingredients, etc.”

>>> Want to find out more about Pastry Chefs? Click here

Previous names include Ruth Hinks and Alistair Birt, who were in attendance at the theme reveal at Lima London last night. Giving guests an example of what this future of chocolate might look like was Callebaut’s Julie Sharp, who had prepared a selection of special desserts especially for the event.

Contestants for the 2017/2018 WCM will have one day to create a chocolate showpiece called ‘Citizens of Futropolis’, a hybrid pastry reflecting ‘the flavours of Futropolis’, and a chocolate snack to go. They will be judged on how well they interpret the theme in the shape, design, presentation and even in the ingredients they use for their pieces.

This year, there will be added support for those competing. All finalists will attend creative boot camps, with special training from leading international chefs. They are also welcomed into the various Chocolate Academies to hone their skills before the Masters takes place.

>>> Read more from the Chocolate Masters here

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