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Monday, 5th November 2012
In General Japan News,
Kyoto native keeps chocolatier title
France's Le Club des Croqueurs de Chocolat has crowned Kyoto native Susumu Koyama top chocolatier for the second year in a row.
Koyama's confectionary store in Sanda, Hyogo Prefecture was also awarded the equivalent of five stars – the highest accolade available for the second consecutive year, according to The Japan Times.
He was awarded for creating five different varieties of chocolates, using ingredients such as sake lees and butterbur sprouts.
The French club's guidebook, Le Guide du Club des Croqueurs de Chocolat, confirmed the award in the latest edition of its guidebook.
Held on Friday (November 2nd), the awards ceremony took place at the Salon du Chocolat global chocolate fair in Paris.
"I appreciate that I have been given an opportunity to experiment with chocolates to such an extent," stated Koyama at the event.
The 48-year-old patissier has had no overseas training and in 2011 became the first Japanese five-star winner located outside of France.
Already looking to next year's competition, the creator is developing a new variety of chocolate using manganji togarashi, a vegetable specific to Kyoto.
Posted by Graham McPherson
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