The Royal Yacht Britannia’s Executive Pastry Chef, Stephen Espouy, won third place in the UK selections of the World Chocolate Masters – hailed as the most challenging and inspiring chocolate competition in the world of gastronomy.
Stephen was one of six of the most highly artistic chocolatiers and pastry chefs in the country chosen to represent the UK and Ireland in the international competition. He produced three pieces – a patisserie, a ‘snack to go’ and a sculptural show piece made entirely of chocolate – for the professional jury of independent chefs and chocolate experts who praised his work for being ‘very innovative’, ‘forward thinking’ and showing ‘great creativity’.
The theme of the competition was ‘Futropolis’, which challenged all the competitors to think about the future of chocolate and how the cities of the future will influence the way we live and eat. Stephen’s interpretation of the brief was to highlight mankind’s changing protein sources, for example the increase in insects, such as scorpions and crickets, being farmed for an alternative protein supply to meat.
Andrew Thomson, Head of Events and Hospitality at Britannia said, “We’re extremely proud of Stephen and the professional, and personal, journey he took towards representing The Royal Yacht Britannia whilst competing at such a high level. The show piece and signature dishes that Stephen designed and created for the competition were exquisite.”
The competition took place earlier this month at Westminster Kingsway College in London. The event was live streamed on Facebook and over one million people watched the day’s events unfold.