The Royal Yacht Britannia is celebrating the success of Executive Pastry Chef Stephen Espouy reaching the World Chocolate Masters 2017/18 pre-selections.
The World Chocolate Masters is hailed as the ‘most challenging and inspiring chocolate competition’ in the world of gastronomy, and the most prestigious to win for chocolate chefs.
On October 9 2017, Stephen will join five of the nation’s finest chocolatiers from the UK and Ireland competing to push the boundaries in chocolate creativity in the pre-selection round in London.
The winner will go on to compete against the most celebrated chocolate artisans from around the world and represent the UK and Ireland on a global stage, in a bid to be named World Chocolate Master at the Grand Final in October 2018.
The theme is ‘Futropolis’ – based on the growing phenomenon of mega cities. Using ‘Futropolis’ as a starting point, Stephen will experiment with flavours and textures to create a sculptural showpiece (The Futropolitan) which has to be made entirely from chocolate.
Stephen said, “To be competing in such a high level competition alongside some of the most talented chefs in the world is a huge honour both personally and professionally. Having grown up working on chocolate creations with my father, who was a baker and chocolatier, I learnt a huge amount from a young age and have honed my technical skills since taking on the role of Executive Pastry Chef working in the original Royal Galleys aboard Britannia. I am very much looking forward to competing against my fellow peers and seeing all the chocolate showpieces in October.”
