{
    "title": "OVAL strengthens Callebaut as driving force behind the World Chocolate Masters '26 ",
    "modified_at": "2026-05-26 09:27:32",
    "published_at": "2026-05-26 13:34:00",
    "url": "http://news.weareoval.com/oval-strengthens-callebaut-as-driving-force-behind-the-world-chocolate-masters-26",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/Hi9d",
    "culture": "en",
    "language": "EN",
    "slug": "oval-strengthens-callebaut-as-driving-force-behind-the-world-chocolate-masters-26",
    "body": "\n    <figure\n        class=\"release-content-image release-content-image--contained release-content-image--align-center\"\n        data-component=\"image-zoom-popup\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-selector=\".release-content-image__image\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-i18n=\"data:application/json;base64,eyJEb3dubG9hZCI6IkRvd25sb2FkIn0=\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-views-event=\"Story Image View\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-download-event=\"Story Image Download\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-placement=\"content\"\n    >\n        <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover\" style=\"width: 100%\">\n            <img\n                src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/cf00b193-1884-4af1-85ac-a6f10a19631c/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                                class=\"release-content-image__image image-thumbnail-rollover__image\"\n                data-description=\"\"\n                id=\"image-cf00b193-1884-4af1-85ac-a6f10a19631c\"\n                data-id=\"cf00b193-1884-4af1-85ac-a6f10a19631c\"\n                data-original=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/cf00b193-1884-4af1-85ac-a6f10a19631c/-/inline/no/9365_Y26_OVAL_Website-Callebaut_02.jpg\"\n                data-mfp-src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/cf00b193-1884-4af1-85ac-a6f10a19631c/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                alt=\"Story image\"\n            />\n            <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover__caption\">\n                <svg class=\"icon icon-expand image-thumbnail-rollover__caption-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-expand\"></use>\n            </svg>            </div>\n        </div>\n\n        <figcaption class=\"release-content-image__caption\"></figcaption>\n    </figure>\n<p><strong>Antwerp, 26th of May, 2026</strong> - Callebaut joins forces with OVAL for the ninth edition of the World Chocolate Masters (WCM). Since the very first edition, Callebaut has been the driving force behind WCM, the only competition in the world that gives chocolatiers and pastry chefs a stage to showcase their passion and craftsmanship through flavor.</p><blockquote><em>&quot;With &#039;Play &amp; Taste,&#039; we challenge the finalists to push boundaries. Taste is much more than what you perceive on the palate; it is emotion and the universal language connecting art, fashion, and gastronomy. There&#039;s no place where &#039;good taste&#039; is brought to life better than in Antwerp. Hosting this world championship in Belgium, at our very own OVAL home base, makes us extremely proud.&quot;</em><br>\u200b<em>\u200b</em><strong>- Tom Kesteloot, Client Director at OVAL</strong></blockquote><h4 id=\"international-appeal-close-to-home\" >International appeal, close to home</h4><p>This year, on October 26 and 27, finalists from around the world will come together for the Callebaut World Chocolate Masters, for the first time in Antwerp. Not only is it our own OVAL home base, but also a city that perfectly aligns with WCM: a place where innovation meets centuries-old craftsmanship, where a vibrant culinary culture thrives, and above all, a city with a long-standing connection to chocolate. Antwerp provides the ideal backdrop and inspiration for the competition&rsquo;s theme at the Handelsbeurs: <em>Play &amp; Taste</em>.</p><h4 id=\"star-jury-led-by-amaury-guichon\" >Star Jury led by Amaury Guichon </h4><p>None other than Amaury Guichon will take the helm as head of the jury. The news that Guichon, widely regarded as the world&rsquo;s most influential chocolatier, will take on this role was announced during the digital bootcamp, the official kickoff of the Callebaut World Chocolate Masters. Guichon will lead a team of 18 jury members from around the globe, including Kirsten Tibbals, Head of the Technical Jury, and Jordi Roca, Head of the Sensory Jury.</p>\n    <figure\n        class=\"release-content-image release-content-image--contained release-content-image--align-center\"\n        data-component=\"image-zoom-popup\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-selector=\".release-content-image__image\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-i18n=\"data:application/json;base64,eyJEb3dubG9hZCI6IkRvd25sb2FkIn0=\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-views-event=\"Story Image View\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-download-event=\"Story Image Download\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-placement=\"content\"\n    >\n        <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover\" style=\"width: 100%\">\n            <img\n                src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/3e5766eb-02d5-42bd-a7fc-cb4b869b1107/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                                class=\"release-content-image__image image-thumbnail-rollover__image\"\n                data-description=\"\"\n                id=\"image-3e5766eb-02d5-42bd-a7fc-cb4b869b1107\"\n                data-id=\"3e5766eb-02d5-42bd-a7fc-cb4b869b1107\"\n                data-original=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/3e5766eb-02d5-42bd-a7fc-cb4b869b1107/-/inline/no/WCM2026_Play%26Taste_Logo.jpg\"\n                data-mfp-src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/3e5766eb-02d5-42bd-a7fc-cb4b869b1107/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                alt=\"Story image\"\n            />\n            <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover__caption\">\n                <svg class=\"icon icon-expand image-thumbnail-rollover__caption-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-expand\"></use>\n            </svg>            </div>\n        </div>\n\n        <figcaption class=\"release-content-image__caption\"></figcaption>\n    </figure>\n<h4 id=\"two-decades-of-world-chocolate-masters\" >Two decades of World Chocolate Masters</h4><p>With this edition in Antwerp, we celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the beloved competition. To mark this milestone, OVAL is taking a fresh strategic direction and introducing a brand-new concept. We are going all out; from the kickoff at the digital bootcamp to the competition days in October. In addition to organizing and executing the competition, we will also roll out various programs throughout Antwerp focused on innovation, sustainability, and craftsmanship.</p><h4 id=\"a-taste-tempting-campaign\" >A taste-tempting campaign</h4><p>In addition to producing the ninth edition of the Callebaut World Chocolate Masters, OVAL is also responsible for the online visibility of WCM. Leading up to the event, we are launching a sleek digital campaign aimed at achieving a large international online reach. Using a specially developed, inviting design style, we will create taste-making content, including social media posts and an in-depth online video series.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><blockquote><em>&ldquo;&lsquo;Play &amp; Taste&rsquo; reflects our belief that the future of chocolate is shaped by creativity and vision. At Callebaut, we see taste as a powerful driver of innovation. With this ninth edition of the World Chocolate Masters, we challenge participants to push their creative boundaries, both as chefs and entrepreneurs, and to help define the next chapter of chocolate craftsmanship.&rdquo;<br>\u200b</em><em><strong>- Patricia Cas Medina</strong></em><strong><br>\u200bGlobal Brand Director, Callebaut Chocolate Academy </strong></blockquote><p><strong>Contact</strong></p><p>Press@weareoval.eu</p>",
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