Awards

CHEF SALLY CAMACHO OF WP24, LOS ANGELES WINS THE AMERICAS REGION SEMI-FINAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL C3 RESTAURANT DESSERT

by Valrhona Chocolate on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 8:26a

CHEF SALLY CAMACHO OF WP24, THE RITZ CARLTON HOTEL, LOS ANGELES

WINS THE AMERICAS REGION SEMI-FINAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL C3 RESTAURANT DESSERT COMPETITION

Chef Sally Camacho April, 2011 – Paris, France

Held on April 6th at the Valrhona École du Grand Chocolat in Paris, the finalist selection was made after a four hour challenge in which six pastry chefs vied for the honor of representing the Americas at the C3 final competition. The talented chefs were judged by an international tasting jury of media and culinary professionals, headed by Chef Rasmus Kofoed of the Copenhagen restaurant Geranium. The judging criteria included technical ability, balance of textures, creativity and originality, taste combinations, organization, and presentation.

pure couverture chocolate from Valrhona’s Grand Cru de Terroir range. Chef Camacho won with her ‘Manjari Passion’, a Manjari Mousse on Chocolate Nougatine with Caramel glaze, served with Passion Fruit Sorbet, plated with Cashew Sable and Pineapple Compote. Inspired by nostalgic taste memories, Chef Camacho notes that “this is a dessert that I myself like to eat with flavors of my childhood.”», using Valrhona Grand Cru: Every year, entrants are given a contest theme to follow. This year, entrants were asked to submit a creative, original plated dessert inspired by «

With the award, Chef Camacho has the honor of representing the Americas in the International C3 Competition finals, which will be held as part of Madrid/Fusion in January 2012.

The international tasting jury made up of culinary professionals included:

• Rasmus Kofoed, chef at restaurant Geranium - Copenhagen
• Angelo Musa, pastry chef, World Pastry Champion –2003 – Paris
• Sébastien Rouxel, pastry chef restaurant Per Se- New York
• Mourad Khiat, pastry chef at the Berkeley –Hotel – London
• Philippe Andrieu, pastry chef - Paris
• Sébastien Faré, pastry chef at Elle et Vire – Paris – Versailles
• Sébastien Serveau, pastry chef at the Ritz - Paris – working jury

The official statement is located on Valrhona's Facebook Page.

2007 National Pastry Team Competition

In 2007, Sally Camacho participated in the  National Pastry Team Championship as a member of Team Caldwell led by Jin Caldwell of Ethel M Chocolates in Las Vegas along with Kristina Karlicki of the Daniel Boulud Brasserie at the Wynn Resort, the first all female team ever to compete. Team Caldwell trained intensively for this 2 day, 13 hour competition based on the theme of country songs. According to competition rules, teams were required to produce a plated dessert, chocolate entremet, bombe glace, three different bon bons, three petits gateaux, one sugar showpiece, one chocolate showpiece and a pastillage piece. 

Team Caldwell based their desserts on the country classic "The Devil Went Down to Georgia." Sally was responsible for the sugar showpiece depicting the idea of good as described in the song. The sugar showpiece has elements of the sun representing heaven, in contrast to the darkness of the chocolate showpiece. Team Caldwell received national attention for being the first all female team to compete. Team Caldwell placed second and was awarded the Silver Medal and the award for Best Sportsmanship. View photos of their creations on the official website for the Amoretti Pastry Championship.

Photo courtesy of the Tennessean.