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The UK Chocolate Masters Finals

Visit the Speciality & Fine Food Fair

The UK Chocolate Masters Finals

An initiative of Barry Callebaut

The World Chocolate Masters is the world’s premier culinary competition devoted solely to the art of chocolate
The UK national selection took place on 2-4th of September 2012 at Speciality and Fine Food Fair, Olympia, London.

The contestants were:

Ruth Hinks owner of CocoaBlack
Alistair Birt, Head Chocolatier for William Curley
Conor McAlonan owner of Liberty Boy Confections, Cork, Ireland
Richie Heppell, Head Chef at Royal Air Force Officers Mess, RAF Leuchars

The theme of the competition was 'The Architecture of Taste' which needed to be reflected in all creations. Contestants were required to produce over a 3 day period: a large chocolate showpiece, a chocolate layered cake, a moulded praline/moulded bonbon and a gastronomic chocolate dessert. For the last assignment, each contestant revisited a classic recipe that reflects his or her country’s tradition, which for the UK was a Chocolate Log.

Ruth Hinks was announced as the winner of the UK national selection of the World Chocolate Masters Finals.

Ruth Hinks, owner of the chocolate shop and patisserie school Cocoa Blacks, in Edinburgh, will now progress to the World Chocolate Masters in Paris 2013.

The three-day event saw Mrs Hinks beat three other chocolatiers, who were all competing to make a chocolate centrepiece around the theme 'The Architecture of Taste'.

Mrs Hinks told BigHospitality, “Winning hasn't sunk in yet. It's the second time I've entered this competition and it's been a lot of hard work, but worth it. I've been thinking about the final since last October and it's quite a relief to now be able to move on.

“I couldn't have done it without the support I've had. I have amazing staff and support from my husband,” she added.