The competition: Questions & Answers

I have a tiny layer of jam to "stick" to the cake and to the sugar paste. Can I use Carma Marmalade or do I have to cook something while there? (It says in the rules no finished products).
No problem, you can use the Carma Marmalade, as it is a Barry Callebaut product. 

As I have to wash and clean everything herself, can I leave the things that I do not need in a box and leave dirty?
In the competition, the judges will look at the overall work; this means that if your working area is untidy, you might lose points on the technical aspect. In a competition it is best for the working area to stay perfect at all times.

I would like to bring my own Or Noir chocolate?
The chocolate needs to be brought in its original packaging and can’t be opened beforehand. The jury will be checking this.

If the moulds have been used for a part of a showpiece do I need to bring them to the competition?
Yes all moulds used need to be brought and shown to the jury

In the rules it says; “Composed elements (e.g. a flower made of different leaves) cannot be brought as a whole, but has to be assembled in place (so the individual leaves should be brought instead”. Does this mean that if I have a flower as part of the showpiece, each petal needs to be assembled during the competition?
Indeed, everything needs to be separate and assembled during the competition

The desserts must be made entirely during the contest – does this also include the baking parts as well as the cigarette paste?
As mentioned in the rules, the entire dessert needs to created during the competiton, and this inlcudes all baked parts such as sponge and cigarette paste.

If desserts contain some baked elements, should they be baked during the competition?
Yes all elements need to be baked during the competition. 

Can I decorate the bust?
No, the bust has to stay as it is and will be used only to show the Aztec Necklace.

Which cutlery will I need to wash up?
Each candidate has to wash his own dishes, except for the plates, knives and forks that are used by the jury for the tastings. In each box, there will be a sink with hot water and each contestant is responsible for cleaning his own equipment during the competition.

Can I bring finished decoration for the dipped praline or do I need to make it there?
No, only the interior of the dipped praline can be brought with you, the rest has to be made entirely during competition.

If I am to use creams for the cake or desserts that need crystallizing over night, can I bring the cream readymade, and use the one I brought fully crystallized and then remake it during the competition?
Indeed, this is the perfect way; you can bring the creams crystallized, however you have to re do them during competition, the exact way as mentioned in your recipe book, no short cut.

In the rules it says that the moulded praline needs to contain at least 30% chocolate, does the shell count in this 30% or is it only the filling that needs to contain at least this amount of chocolate?
30% in total and this includes the shell.

Can products like neutral glaze and fruit purées be used and brought to the competition?
We consider these products as ingredients, if you use neutral gel from Carma or other brands, please bring it as part of confectionery. All other hand made glaze needs to be made during the competition unless you use the Chocoshine or Brillance noir from Barry Callebaut

Will there be or can I bring someone to do the dishwashing up or am I  responsible for this?

No, you have to do everything else yourself. You can only have an assistant to help you move your main showpieceand your assistant is not allowed to be with you in your workbox.

If I manage to install my show piece in less than 3 hours, can I use the extra time to prepare things for the second day? Could I also use the time to tidy up and prepare things for the second day?
Absolutely, you're free to organize your work and yes, if you manage to finish your showpiece in 3 hours you can use the rest of the time for other preparations.

Can I have an assistant to assist me during the competition (for e.g cleaning, measuring products etc)?

No this is an individual competition therefore this is strictly forbidden.