She was one of the top five on the podium at the awards ceremony, overtaking previous UK National Chocolate Master Mark Tilling who reached seventh position in 2009.

The World Chocolate Masters crown went to patissier and chocolatier Davide Comaschi from Italy, while runners up were pastry chef Marike van Beurden from the Netherlands and executive pastry chef Denis Karaca from Australia.

The competition, organised by Cacao Barry, Callebaut and Carma, saw 19 chefs from around the world compete in the global final after becoming the National Chocolate Master in their own country during the international final, by producing specific creations that reflected the theme: The Architecture of Taste.

In the global final, the contestants had to produce over three days: a large chocolate showpiece, chocolate layered cake, dipped and moulded bonbons and pralines, and a gastronomic chocolate dessert.

Hinks, who heads the Cocoa Black Chocolate & Pastry School in Peebles, near Edinburgh, was thrilled with her achievement: “Honestly, I never in my wildest dreams thought I would have got into the top five. But I have had amazing support from everyone.

“From a female point of view, it was also great to have two women out of the 19 getting into the top five,” she added.