Friday October 30 2009, 4:00 AM
at The Chocolate Show- Metropolitan Pavillion, W 18th, NY,NY
Added By: Jeff

Dessert Professional magazine is proud to honor North America's finest chocolatiers. With so many wonderful, talented chocolate purveyors in the 'new world,' we are pleased to announce our inaugural list of Top Ten Chocolatiers, honoring ten North American-based chocolatiers whose confectionery craft exemplifies the use of chocolate, and whose contributions have elevated the chocolate industry.


Each of the ten has taken a different path to cacao success. Some were pastry chefs, while others have more confection backgrounds. Some are self-taught, while others have been classically trained at culinary academies worldwide. Some chose to start their own companies, while others showcase their talent at companies--both large and small--lucky enough to have them. All are valuable ambassadors promoting one of the world's most popular foodstuffs -- chocolate.


The 2009 Top Ten Chocolatiers In North America are (in alphabetical order):


JIN CALDWELL
Mars Retail Group, Las Vegas, NV

MARKUS CANDINAS
Candinas Chocolatier, Verona, WI

PATRICK COSTON
2 Chicks With Chocolate, Parlin, NJ

THOMAS HAAS
Thomas Haas Fine Chocolates, Vancouver, BC

NORMAN LOVE
Norman Love Confections, Ft. Myers, FL

MICHAEL RECCHIUTI
Recchuiti Confections, San Francisco, CA

JULIAN ROSE
Moonstruck Chocolate, Portland, OR

JEFF SHEPHERD
Lillie Belle Farms, Central Point, OR

ANDREW SHOTTS
Garrison Confections, Providence, RI

JACQUES TORRES
Jacques Torres Chocolate, New York, NY

The awards ceremony celebrating these talented artisans will be held as the main media attraction at the 12th annual New York Chocolate Show on October 30th, 2009.


The 2009 Top Ten Chocolatiers will be featured in the December 2009 issue of Dessert Professional magazine. Video coverage of the event will appear on the number one dessert related social networking website, dessertprofessional.com.