USA

Four of the top pâtissiers, chefs and chocolatiers from across the country have been selected to compete for the coveted title of U.S. Chocolate Master.

The four finalists are:
Jove Hubbard, Executive Pastry Chef, The James Hotel, Chicago, Ill.
Todd Owen, Executive Pastry Chef, Old Edwards Inn and Spa, Highlands, N.C.
Evan Sheridan, Chef de Tournant, University Club of Chicago, Chicago, Ill.
Jean-Francois Suteau, Executive Pastry Chef, The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.

The finalists were chosen based on their professional experience and their submission of an original recipe for a chocolate layered cake and molded praline / molded bonbons as well as a picture of their original chocolate showpiece.

The finalists will be flown to Chicago where they will compete at the state-of-the-art Barry Callebaut Chocolate Academy on January 11-12, 2013.

In the U.S. final, contestants will create a chocolate showpiece, a molded praline / molded bonbon, a gastronomic chocolate dessert and their own interpretation of the classic American pastry, the donut. A professional jury will evaluate the creations, based on criteria such as artistry, taste and technical skills.