Young chef scoops award at chocolate competition

The chef included Jersey produce in her chocolate creations

A young chef from Jersey has scooped an award at a chocolate making competition in the UK.

Chef de partie Emma Preisig was crowned the Callebaut Chocolate Academy's 2025 Junior Chocolate Master on 24 July.

The competition at the academy's base in Oxfordshire saw talented chocolatiers aged between 18 and 25 take on a seven-hour chocolate making challenge.

Ms Preisig said she had practised for six months ahead of the competition and winning was a "pinch me moment".

The 2025 Junior Chocolate Master event, in its 11th year, had the theme of Best of British.

Competitors were tasked with three assignments inspired by British heritage, flavours, art, culture and produce.

Ms Preisig's plated chocolate desert included glazed Jersey honey yellow raspberries

Ms Preisig, from Jersey, works as a chef de partie at Oxfordshire restaurant and hotel Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons.

For the competition, she made a tea inspired bonbon, a British berry plated desert and a white chocolate and raspberry tea cup centre piece to secure the title.

"It's still taking a while for the news to sink in and I don't think I'll ever quite believe it," she said.

She said it was "such an amazing opportunity and experience that has been so invaluable".

"It's been a whirlwind of emotions over the past six months of practise, research, testers and plenty of ideas," she said.

Her chocolate bonbon was filled with bergamot caramel fudge, pink grapefruit pate and earl grey ganache.

She said taking part had helped her learn new skills and knowledge and achieve something she "never thought would be possible".

"It really feels like a pinch me moment and an achievement that means so much both personally and professionally- an experience I will never forget."