UK Chocolate Masters Winner Announced

The first female winner of the UK Chocolate Masters has been revealed at the Speciality and Fine Food Fair, in London

Ruth Hinks, owner of the chocolate shop and patisserie school Cocoa Black, in Edinburgh, will now progress to the World Chocolate Masters in Paris 2013.

The three-day event saw Mrs Hinks beat three other chocolatiers, who were all competing to make a chocolate centrepiece around the theme 'The Architecture of Taste'.

They were also required to make a chocolate layered cake, a moulded praline, a gastronomic chocolate dessert and a contemporary take on a chocolate log.

Mrs Hinks told BigHospitality, “Winning hasn't sunk in yet. It's the second time I've entered this competition and it's been a lot of hard work, but worth it. I've been thinking about the final since last October and it's quite a relief to now be able to move on.

“I couldn't have done it without the support I've had. I have amazing staff and support from my husband,” she added.