France

Xavier Berger from Tarbes, has won this year's 2010 national selection for the World Chocolate Masters. This talented chocolatier was delighted when the jury announced him as the representative of France in the 2011 world finals of the World Chocolate Masters. Sophie Laugel from Hochfelden obtained the 2nd prize. Paul Chauvaux from Paris came third.

The 2011 Chocolate Masters competition was built around the theme of "Cocoa, Quetzalcoatl’s gift". The highlight of the competition was the creation of a series of impressive and very beautiful chocolate showpieces, which took visitors back to the mystical origins of chocolate and the cocoa bean. The highly skilled, creative chocolate talents impressed the jury with their showpieces, pralines and pastries.

The jury of the 2011 pre-selection comprised some of 15 most famous chocolate and pastry chefs such as Christophe Rhedon and Laurent Duchene and also famous journalists such as Frank Lacroix and Alain Urbain. The jury president was Jean Paul Hévin. Fréderic Trombert, Sales Director Barry Callebaut France, says that "we should be very proud to have such talented candidates and that Xavier Berger is representing us at the Final of the World Chocolate Masters".

Xavier Berger works in his shop in Tarbes where he continues to pursue his passion of learning more about the art of chocolate and pastry. He will face off against 19 other National Chocolate Masters from around the world in Paris in October 2011.