Win an unforgettable trip to Belgium, plus a whole host of other incredible prizes, with the launch of Callebaut’s ‘Make It Special’ Competition.

With six places on the exclusive trip up for grabs, Callebaut is encouraging you (chefs) to showcase how you help customers celebrate a special occasion, whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, Mother’s Day or even Christmas. To enter, visit Callebaut’s chocolate hub – www.fortheloveofchoc.com – and share details of your special occasion treats by midnight on 19th March 2017.

Following the judging process, gold, silver and bronze winners will be selected from two age categories – 18-21 year olds and 22 years or over. All winners will be rewarded with a trip to discover Callebaut’s Belgian roots, including a factory tour, a hands-on workshop at Callebaut’s flagship Academy and a trend tour to see the latest innovations in the chocolate capital of the world.

The competition forms part of Callebaut’s Make It Special campaign which highlights the importance of making the most of special occasions. Desserts in particular present a key opportunity – 78% of people would be more likely to treat themselves when out for a special occasion, while a third of consumers think there should be more desserts targeting special occasions on menus. Make it a chocolate dessert and two-thirds of people would be more likely to order it**.

Robert Harrison, Sales Director Gourmet-Northern Europe, Callebaut, comments: “With people more likely to eat out to celebrate a special occasion and 74% likely to spend more*, there’s a real opportunity to boost profits by offering something memorable. This in turn, encourages repeat visits – in fact, 94% of people would be more likely to return to an establishment that made them feel special.

“With this in mind, we’re looking forward to seeing what chefs create for these special moments and rewarding the best of the best with an incredible trip to Belgium to go deeper into the world of chocolate. It’s a fantastic opportunity and a prize we’re incredibly proud to be able to offer.

Full competition details, including terms and conditions, can be found on the campaign website – fortheloveofchoc.com. The website is also ‘choc’ full of helpful videos and techniques to inspire you with your entry, such as the ‘10 Ways To Make It Special’ series created by Julie Sharp, Callebaut’s Development Chef, including a decadent Christmas pudding and an Easter egg with the wow-factor, as well as an edible candle for birthdays. The videos also feature techniques such as mould creation, chocolate flowers and garnishes that can quickly and effortlessly be added to desserts to make the most of celebrations throughout the year.

For over 100 years, Callebaut has been making chocolate to be proud of in the heart of Belgium. From cocoa bean to chocolate, Callebaut’s finest Belgian chocolates are produced with 100% Belgian craftsmanship, making it the chocolate of choice for confectioners, pastry chefs and chocolatiers all over the world.

*Toluna/Callebaut July 2016 **Toluna/Callebaut August 2014

For more information on Callebaut please call 01295 22 47 00 or visit www.fortheloveofchoc.com