Pastry Live 2015 – Chocolatier of the Year Finalists Announced

ATLANTA - June 25, 2015 - PRLog -- Pastry Live is proud to announce the 2015 Chocolatier of the Year competitors! These expert chocolatiers will create and present artisan chocolates displaying their craftsmanship to a judging panel and the event’s audience on Sunday, August 23^rd, 2015.

Carefully selected for their expertise and abilities, each competitor will be required to produce two different chocolates sold in their shop. As both taste and appearance are key criteria to be evaluated, each chocolatier will have to meticulously handcraft their creations in order to obtain the title of Chocolatier of the Year.

The 2015 Chocolatier of the Year finalists are:

Cesar Barachina, Turningstone Casino Resort

Ashley Baughman, Omni Homestead Resort

William Brown, William Dean Chocolates

Benjamin Kallenbach, The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge

Rachel King, Nine-Ten

Kevin Lindee, Ganache: Desserts and Confections

Brittany Mateika, Norman Love Confections

Abderrahmane Neggaz, Chocotenango

Robert Nieto, Kendall-Jackson

Osvaldo Ortega, Tout Chocolat

Nicholas Pine, Co Tout Chocolat Co. Sala

Richie Budiharto Pratadaja, FIKA NYC

Molly Rothermel, Norman Love Confections

Annie Rupani, Cacao & Cardamom

Natalya Shapiro, Chef Brulee Chocolates and Gateaux

Andrea Smith, Chocolate F/X

Kandice Stone, Omni Grove Park Inn

Charity Teague, Charity Teague Confections

Darcy Bishop Thrasher, Cero's Candies

Karl Vivier, A Cacao Affair

Johnny Wesley, Holley's Seafood and Oyster Bar

The Chocolatier of the Year competition is designed with small chocolatier business owners in mind, offering national recognition for their skills and the opportunity for these artisans to display their talents in a competitor friendly environment. In order to give the audience a voice in the judging process, attendees will have the chance to taste test the competitor’s chocolates and vote for their favorite chocolatier for the People’s Choice Award.

Pastry Live will host its fifth year at its newly found home, 200 Peachtree, Atlanta’s most centrally–located and convenient event venue. After four successful years, the event’s overwhelming growth prompted the venue change last year in order to further expand its offerings while keeping the integrity of the event intact.

With the start of year five, the anticipation for this year is high. Come join us at this memorable event!

For more details about Pastry Live, please contact Sheila Artis at marketing@pastrylive.com or 770.652.2063. Tickets and further information are also available on our website at www.pastrylive.com.