Competition About

The architecture of taste: a challenging theme that demands the utmost from each contestant

It may seem a bit awkward to compare food with architecture. But if you take a minute to think about it, it quickly makes perfect sense. O yes, creating the world’s most iconic dishes, is as intense as imagining and desiging the world’s most remarkable buildings and landmarks. And when one talks to a chef, he will soon admit that creating a dish with the perfect ‘architecture’ doens’t happen overnight. It takes a long journey of trial and error to bring taste, contrast, texture, looks in perfect balance – a balance that in rare cases turns out to become a timeless masterpiece.

It has to be in the details – it has to be in everything

During the intense 3-days of competition final, the 20 contestants will have to integrate the theme in everything they do: e-very-thing! From the choice of ingredients for each pastry, dessert, chocolate to the looks they create for each item.

Hear from the 2011 competition winners

A moment of truth

How they interpret the theme is completely up to the wild imagination of the finalists. But with a hyper critical jury that counts many of the world’s most renowned chefs and food specialists, it’s not a given. During the presentation of many items, the finalists will have to give a brief explanation on how their creation relates to the architecture-theme. Indeed, we are curious for that moment! If we’re lucky, It will be one of those moments where the true talent both charms and shocks the world with a completely unexpected interpretation. Remember how Frank Haasnoot amazed with his showpiece that depicted much the horrific side of Quetzalcoatl’s legend… Unforgettable! And exactly this approach – and his heavenly pastry and desserts – crowned him into the previous World Chocolate Master.

What the jury is looking for…

Quite frankly: we don’t know. But what we do know is that they will not easily be charmed by evident choices. Some of the jury members we spoke to told us that “…this competition theme hasn’t been chosen by accident. We are looking for thoroughbred innovation. With this theme, we truly expect the finalist to defy all rules and conventions and show us what the role of chocolate in the future will be.”

Wow! That can count. We know that this announcement has made many contestants – most of them have been preparing the final for the last 10 to 12 months now – quite nervous at first. But on the other hand, it has inspired them to go further, deeper and wider than ever before.