DINING: Local chocolatier second in world championship

Lionel Clement, chef chocolatier at Wynn Las Vegas, took second place in the World Chocolate Masters Competition in Paris today (Oct. 16). As the American representative, he competed against chocolatiers from 18 countries.

The winner was Shigeo Hirai, sous chef at the Grand Hyatt in Tokyo. Third place went to Michaela Karg of Cafe am Kreuzgang in Feuchtwangen, Germany.

The masters involved two major competitions for each contestant. In addition to the creation of a master showpiece, which they had three hours to build and which was judged on decorative merit, each also contributed to a round of tastings of hand-dipped pralines, chocolate pastries, desserts and molded pralines, all of which were judged for flavor and texture. Each contestant also was required to decorate a haute couture hat.

The winners of the individual awards have not yet been announced.