Vincent Vallée is the new World Chocolate Master

Vincent Vallée from France was crowned World Chocolate Master at the competition at le Salon du Chocolat in Paris. Hailed as the ‘most challenging chocolate competition’ in the world of chocolate, it is the most prestigious title to win for chocolatiers.

For the next three years Vincent will wear the title of world’s best chocolate craftsman. He gets the opportunity to visit a cocoa plantation and his work will be displayed in Harrods department store in London for a world exclusive sale during the Valentine’s Day campaign (starting February 1st). He will also get a cheque of €5,000 and €5,000 worth of KitchenAid equipment.

Hinashi Onobayashi from Japan and Marijn Coertjens from Belgium got the silver and bronze medal. Diego Lozano from Brazil won the Social Media Award: the prize for the public’s favourite chocolate showpiece. The public were able to vote for their favourite during the final and via the World Chocolate Masters website. All winners take home prizes provided by the sponsors of the World Chocolate Masters.

Jean-Michel Perruchon, president of the jury, said: “During the competition Vincent Vallée set a whole new standard for innovation and creativity. The title of World Chocolate Master is a tribute to the skill, ingenuity and vision he has shown during the final.”

During the ceremony the coveted ‘My Or Noir’ trophy, handed out by the separate Or Noir jury, was presented to Andrey Kanakin from Russia. He takes home 500 kilos of the signature chocolate he made.