Callebaut competition winner David Pulis (left) with Marc Pauquet.

Worldwide Import and Export Ltd invited world-class master chef Marc Pauquet to host a free five-hour chocolate-making demonstration at the Hotel Excelsior, Floriana.

The audience, including both professionals and the public, could not help but marvel at Pauquet’s extraordinary skills, while speaking about his techniques, tempering of chocolate and praline making. Recipe booklets, chocolate-making tools and other merchandise were also distributed to all those present.

On the following day the first master class chocolate competition in Malta was held. Competitors were required to prepare a chocolate gateaux/cake having a Maltese theme within a pre-set time limit.

The entries were assessed by Pauquet, who also offered advice to the participants.

The master chef said he was very impressed with the competitors’ entries not only from a technical point of view, but also with regard to their taste and texture.

David Pulis from the Excelsior Hotel won first prize, consisting of a chocolate course in any of Callebaut’s academies in Europe, which are amongst the finest in the world, together with prepaid flights, accommodation and a custom chef’s jacket.

Second and third place went to Maurizio Borg and Jeffrey Borg, who received vouchers worth €150 and €100 respectively.