Elias Läderach of Switzerland won the 2018 World Chocolate Masters competition, sponsored by brand Cacao Barry at the Salon du Chocolat in Paris last week. Florent Cheveau, executive pastry chef for the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, placed third.

Held at the conclusion of the group’s annual technical seminar — to be held October 2 - 4, at the Hyatt Lodge at McDonald's Campus, Oak Brook, Ill. — the Iron Confectioner Competition features two teams of three members each tasked to create three different types of confections within one hour.