Australia

Callebaut® , Cacao Barry® and Carma® congratulate Chris Cheng for winning the Taiwan National Selection of the World Chocolate Masters

Taipei/Taiwan, November 20th, 2012 - The Taiwan National selection for the 2012-2013 World Chocolate Masters took place on 20th November at Taipei Vocational Training Center, a venue sponsored by Taipei Labor Department. The Taiwan National Selection is organized by Callebaut®, Cacao Barry® and Carma® in association with Taipei Bakery Association – one of the main bakery & pastry association function as non-profit organization to develop the bakery & pastry industry in Taiwan. Out of 15 applicants, 10 contestants were selected for the contest.

A well-known Jury had the difficult task to evaluate their work. This Jury was headed by Chef Su Yan Loon and was composed by :-
1. President jury - Chef Su Yan Loon (HOD) from National Pingtung University of Science and Technology
2. Chef Lee Yun Zhong (Executive Pastry Chef) from Kaohsiung Han Harbor restaurant
3. Chef Wang Fu Shou (Technical Advisor) from Nanqiang Holding Group
4. Mr. Ho Wen Xi (Pastry Department – Service Manager) from Far Eastern Plaza Hotel
5. Chef Zhao Li Hua (Lecturer) from Bakery Department Taipei Vocational Training Center
6. Chef Jean Marc Bernelin (Technical Advisor) from Barry Callebaut Services Asia Pacific Sdn. Bhd.
The whole day contest was dedicated to the creative use of chocolate and contest’s theme “The Architecture of Taste”, where each contestant created a chocolate showpiece, a moulded praline, a dipped praline and an entremets. All participants demonstrated their chocolate talent and creativity during this breath-taking competition.
Chief Officer of Labor Department Taipei – Mr. Chen Ye Jin offered the trophy to the winner together with Mr. Paul Halliwell (Barry Callebaut Services Asia Pacific - Vice President Gourmet).Mr. Chen mentioned that he was looking forward to support Asia Pacific Selection which will be held in March 2013 in Taipei. He has foreseen that this competition will enhance the chocolate craftsmanship to higher level for the industry in Taiwan.
At the end of this thrilling contest, Chris Cheng was crowned as Taiwan Chocolate Master. He will compete with other Asian national winners in Asia Pacific selection next March 2013 in Taipei. This Regional selection will give him the possibility to get a ticket to enter the International final, which will be held in October 2013 in Paris. Chris Cheng, Sous Chef at Le Meridian Hotel, represented Taiwan during the last World Chocolate Masters International Final in October 2011 in Paris. During the press interview, he expressed his excitement and happiness on his achievement. He explained that the concept of his showpiece and other creations were referring to the Chinese ancestors based on the method “The Solarium” (an ancient method to measure time, season and astrology by using sun's position).

The event was also graced by numerous media representatives and TV stations. Some TV channels (e.g. : National TV Station from TVBS, CNTV, BLTV & etc) broadcasted the contest process and the winner’s interview the same evening as the competition. Please look at the links below to discover more about Taiwan Selection.

· http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIC9iFr_mL4
· http://www.appledaily.com.tw/appledaily/article/headline/20121121/34655487/
· http://news.cntv.cn/program/difangminglan/20121121/105119.shtml
· http://www.ntdtv.com/xtr/gb/2012/11/20/a800459.html
· http://video.udn.com/video/Item/ItemPage.do?sno=324-233-2B3-2B343-2B4-233-2B3c3d3-2B34334-2334
· http://www.cdnews.com.tw/cdnews_site/docDetail.jsp?coluid=112&docid=102116947

The World Chocolate Masters is the premium international competition solely dedicated to the Art of chocolate. The contest is open to the most talented chocolate professionals of the world. The winners of each national selection will represent their country at the Asia Pacific Selection which will held in Taipei March 2013 in Taipei International Bakery Show (TIBS). The Asia Pacific Selection 2013 will collaborate with Taipei Bakery Association to bring a greater competition within Asia region and chocolate supporters.