National Selections: Report

Mr. Naomi Mizuno: Japanese Chocolate Master!

Friday 30th of March : Japanese pre-selection for World Chocolate Master.
Jusuke Tsukahara, BC Japan Sales Manager, Jean-Marc Bernelin, President of Jury, Eizo Ohyama, Senior Representative of Jury proclaimed Mr. Naomi Mizuno as a winner of “Japanese Chocolate Master”.
Mr. Naomi Mizuno will represent Japan in Paris for the final in October 2007. 

Mr. Naomi Mizuno, 28 year-old, the youngest contestant in Japan pre-selection, is working for Futaba Pastry School as a teacher. After participating in many events, he was elated to learn of his success, as this is the first time for him to win a competition. He received the highest scores for most of the evaluation attributes, especially for his high technical skills and his delicious creations. He was filled with emotion during the speech, and said, “this award was the result of the constant challenge every day. I will do my best at the final.”
Mr. Tetsuji Okada, 31-year-old, working for Marriott Nagoya Hotel, won the taste award with his excellent taste presentation, especially for his dipped praline and chocolate cake.

The “World Chocolate Masters pre-selection Japan took place at Ecole de Patisserie de Tokyo in Tokyo, co-organized by Japan Confectionery Association and Barry Callebaut Japan Ltd.
In Asia, a total of 5 countries will be represented in the 2007 finals : China, Taiwan, Australia, Japan, and Korea.
This competition in Japan is becoming very famous amongst the elite chocolatiers and pastry chefs. Japan. The representative from Japan in WCM 2005, Mr. Koichi Izumi, became very popular within the gastronomic society after he won the desert category and came 3rd overall winner at the final. Now he is in very high demand from TV programs and famous magazines.

This years, 5 competitors challenged about the theme ‘National Myths and Legends’. All the contestants created a showpiece, produced dipped and moulded pralines, made pastries and produced a dessert form a mystery box.

President of Jury from Barry Callebaut, Jean-Marc Bernelin said, “The level of the competition was extremely high and amongst the best in Asia so far. The artistic part was very good and the taste was excellent.” We are sure that the winner, Mr. Mizuno, will be one of the strongest competitors at the final!  

The jury was composed of 5 central confectionery figures: Mr. Eizo Ohyama (Senior representative of the Jury, President of technical guidance committee in JCA), Mr. Susumu Shimada (Vice-president of technical guidance committee in JCA), and 3 of technical guidance committee members in JCA (Mr. Tadashi Yanagi, Mr. Shuichi Sakurai, and Mr. Koichi Izumi).

With special thanks to our partners:
- DEMARLE (Molds for participants gift)
- MOL D’ART (chocolate melting machines)
- Savour chocolate & Patisserie school (2 days free chocolate lesson in Melbourne for Taste award winner)
- Sanpellegrino (Water during the competition)