PUNTOITALY N°2 - July - December 2012

Italy, sculpture in sugar. Italy, cake with chocolate. Marlena Szymas (Poland), Susan Notter (USA), Kuei Wen Kuo (Taiwan) and Stefanie Ben- gelmann (Germany). France came sec- ond, and the US third. A number of Special Mentions were awarded: be- sides those already mention that were also awarded to the top prize-winner, the Press Prize went to the USA, while the Best Sugar Scultpure Prize went to France, which also won a Special Mention for the cleanliness and organisation of the workspace. BIOGRAPHY OF A CHAMPION Having gained her school certificate at the Liceo Scientifico Serpieri in Rimini, in 2006 Sonia Balacchi enrolled in her first courses in creative cuisine and patisserie. In this period she became totally smitten by her passion of chocolate. As she herself relates: “Each day, as I proudly put on my chocolatier’s jacket, I am determined to give of my very best and to learn everything I can to improve my professional skills still further”. After graduating, she turned to catering, and participated in a course in creative cuisine run by the IAL Institute in Riccione, where she obtained a diploma as Meal Production Operator. To learn the basics of the art of patisserie, she enrolled in the course run by Marcello Tassinari. She completed a year’s work experience at the Cast Alimenti cooking school in Brescia, where she was awarded various diplomas, among them that THE ITALIAN MAGAZINE FOR INTERNATIONAL BUYERS IN GELATO, PASTRY AND TRENDY FOOD-AND-DRINK A moment in the prize-giving ceremony. The winner Sonia Balacchi in the centre, and to the right Maestro Roberto Rinaldini, the initiator of the Pastry Queen Championship, together with Iginio Massari, chairman of the jury. Italy, dessert on a plate. 31 Italy, dessert in a glass based on marrons glacés. Pastry Chef Gino Fabbri, Chairman of the Academy of Master Pastry Chefs. Extraordinary lustre was given to the champi- onship by the participation of Gabriel Paillasson, founder of the Lyon s Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie. The brains behind the Pastry Queen competition was Maes- tro Roberto Rinaldini, World Gelato Champion in 2006 and a trainer in 2008. THE CLASSIFICATION The two days of the Pasty Queen Competition saw 10 women pastry cooks from all over the world vying for the top prize. Sonia Balacchi was up against Janaina Veronica Araujo Su- conic (Brazil), Kyung Ran Baccon (France), Kaory Kohiyama (Japan), Yujin Hong (South Korea), Laura Manjarrez (Mexico),