The Finest Belgian Chocolate Brand, Callebaut®, announces the third edition of India's PATISSIER OF THE YEAR competition

Mumbai, India, {11/12/23}: Callebaut, renowned for producing the Finest Belgian Chocolate, proudly announces the return of its flagship event, Callebaut Patissier of the Year (CPY) 2024, in association with Chocolate Academy Mumbai as a 'Knowledge Partner.' This third edition of the prestigious competition invites chefs and artisans to showcase their creativity and mastery in the art of chocolate crafting.

Celebrating a century of crafting The Finest Belgian Chocolate, Callebaut acknowledges the value of originality. In the world of chocolate and pastry, being original is paramount. And this year's theme, 'Craft Your Signature,' emphasizes the uniqueness of every chef. Amid the pressure for artisans and chefs to conform to trends on social media, CPY 2024 seeks to create a platform that celebrates chefs for who they are – their background, culture, and authentic selves.

The competition will feature qualifying rounds that challenge participants to showcase their originality through chocolate creations. These will be held through February 2024 and will take place in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. The qualifier winners will compete in the finale, which will be held in Mumbai in May 2024.

"As we embark on the third edition of Callebaut Patissier of the Year, we are excited to witness the diverse and innovative creations of our talented Indian chefs. This competition reflects our commitment to supporting and celebrating the unique talents within the culinary world."

Dhruva Sanyal, Managing Director of India for Barry Callebaut

Furthermore, Pratik Deshmukh, Head of Chocolate Academy Mumbai, said, "The CPY 2024 offers an exhilarating opportunity to join the Callebaut family. This competition is not only a chance to compete but also to learn. We welcome you to become a part of the Callebaut and Global Chocolate Academy™ Network. We're thrilled to witness groundbreaking creation techniques and excited to see the best talents come forward to participate in the competition. We are excited to find the best gem of the pastry chef community together". Application submissions are open from 1st December 2023 and can be submitted online (here). The last date to submit applications is 20th January 2024. The applications will be evaluated by an esteemed jury led by the Head of Chocolate Academy Mumbai, Pratik Deshmukh.

The title winner will be privileged to visit the world's largest chocolate factory in Wieze, Belgium. The first runner-up will receive a masterclass at Chocolate Academy Dubai. The second runner-up will be awarded an international masterclass at Chocolate Academy Mumbai.

Since its inception in 2017, Callebaut Patissier of the Year has been a platform dedicated to challenging the chocolate creativities of Indian chefs, artisans, and chocolate professionals. Hosted by the House of The Finest Belgian Chocolate, the competition aims to provide a stage for pastry chefs and chocolatiers from across India to exhibit their passion and innovation before a distinguished jury.

About Callebaut® (www.callebaut.com):

For more than 100 years, Callebaut® has been crafting chocolate in the heart of Belgium and is still one of the rare chocolate makers to select, roast, and grind cacao beans into its own secret and exclusive cocoa mass – the most important ingredient for chocolate couvertures. Callebaut® was originally founded in 1850 in Wieze, Belgium, as a family brewery. The founder's grandson Octaaf produced the first chocolate bars in 1911 and began making couverture chocolate for Belgian chocolatiers soon after. Callebaut® has been supplying craftsmen all over the world since 1950 with its Finest Belgian Chocolates, which are still today made 'from bean to chocolate' in Wieze. Callebaut® is part of the Barry Callebaut® Group, the world's leading high-quality chocolate and cacao manufacturer.

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