Alicante chooses the best chocolate cake in the world

A sculptural cake by Ecuadorian Pachi Larrea is the best in the world. The chef based in Castelldefels has won the first Paco Torreblanca International High Pastry Award, in the framework of Alicante Gastronómica.

The jury has rated his recipe as one of the most innovative, with impeccable workmanship and intense flavor. Catalan Sergi Vela took second place, followed by Fran Segura who achieved third place.

The winner, Pachi Larrea, is based in Castelldefels, where he has two establishments, and has 20 years of experience in the pastry world, and expresses himself as a chocolate enthusiast.

This award pays tribute to one of the best pastry chefs in the world and seeks to find the best chocolate cake on the planet.

The evaluation criteria were flavor, texture, presentation, and technique. This contest not only rewards creativity, but also mastery of high pastry fundamentals, making this a unique event for chocolate lovers.

Any of the finalists in this first edition of the Award could have won, given "their very high level and great prestige," since all of them are great pastry masters.

The finalists were Alba Gracia Elipe (Spain), Andrea Zemi (Italy), Estefanía Aguilar (Costa Rica), Fran Segura (Spain), Javier Naranjo (Colombia), Javiera Villegas (Chile); Juan Sarango (Ecuador); Nathalia Escobar Rosales (Mexico), Pachi Larrea (Ecuador) and Sergi Vela (Spain).

The first edition of this International Award has been "a complete success," since it has received 220 applications, from which the jury selected the 10 best as finalists.

With this international award, it is also intended to honor master Paco Torreblanca, one of Spain's most important pastry figures, an international reference among Spanish professionals.

This contest, which has the collaboration of the International School of Pastry Arts, is a unique opportunity for pastry chefs to showcase their skill, creativity and passion for pastry.