Head Pastry Chef, David Simak of the Albert Roux and Michel Roux Jr’s Crossbasket Castle won the first ever UK Chocolate Dessert of the Year competition at The Chocolate Show at Olympia, London for his yuzu, wild berries and hazelnut mouse.

David fended off stiff competition from the other finalists to be crowned champion after an intense judging process in front of a live audience.

David said: “I’m extremely honoured to have been crowned the winner of the Chocolate Dessert of the Year competition. I am sincerely grateful for the recognition I have received for my work, especially as I was up against such tough competition.”

Louise Rigden of Royal Opera House’s Open Chocolate Éclair placed second, with The Salt Room’s Cobnut Nutella, Waffle Ice Cream with Coffee and Milk coming in third.

Judges included Xanthe Clay, food writer at The Telegraph, Eric Lanlard, Master Patissier, Mark Tilling, Squires Kitchen and winner of The Great British Bake Off: Crème de la Crème, Cherish Finden, Executive chef at The Langham and Judge on The Great British Bake Off: Crème de la Crème, Paul A Young, paul .a. young fine chocolates, Chantal Coady, founder of Rococo Chocolates, Carolyn Hart, food writer and contributing author to Bread & Oysters, Sara Jayne Stanes, Chair of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, Martin Chiffers, President of the UK Pastry team and Author, Susan Low, deputy editor of Delicious Magazine, and chocolate expert and food writer Cat Black.

The Chocolate Dessert of The Year competition brings together the UK's most talented chocolatiers to showcase their skills. The competition puts pastry chefs in the spotlight and is an exclusive opportunity for restaurants and hotels to publicise their best chocolate desserts in front of the industry’s leading food writers, chocolate experts, and chocolate lovers alike.