The winner will go on to represent UK and Ireland in a bid to be crowned World Chocolate Master at the grand final in October 2018.

Robert Harrison, sales director of Gourmet Northern Europe, Barry Callebaut, said: “The World Chocolate Masters is the only global competition dedicated to the individual creativity of chocolatiers and pastry chefs with a focus on chocolate.

“It is however far more than a competition - It offers chefs a platform to experiment to push boundaries and showcase their talent.”

Competitors will be given eight hours to create three assignments based on the theme ‘Futropolis’ and present them to the judging panel.

Contestants include Sarah Frankland, head pastry chef at Pennyhill Park, Ian Mark, chef for Royal Air Force and Barry Johnson, Lecturer at London Southbank Bakery College and ex-head chocolatiers at Rococo Chocolates.

The World Chocolate Masters is an initiative from Cacao Barry, a brand of the Barry Callebaut Group, Zurich-based manufacturer of chocolate and cocoa products.