Meet the finalists
Meet the finalists
2024 October 26-28Central Europe preselection
2024 October 26-28
Central Europe preselection
Germany & Austria
In the upcoming Central Europe National Selections, the theme of Play! will test the creativity and skill of WCM chefs. Witness how top chocolatiers from across Central Europe play with flavors, textures, and designs in their chocolate creations. Who will emerge as the Central European Chocolate Master and represent the region in the WCM 2025 world finals? Join us to uncover the champion!
Meet the contestants
Meet the contestants
Alireza Abdolsheikhi
Originally from Iran, this chef discovered his love for confectionery over 12 years ago while living as a refugee in Turkey, where he earned a living selling homemade pastries. Later, he moved to Germany, completed an apprenticeship, and became a master confectioner. While working in the 5-star Hotel Adlon Kempinski, he focused on chocolate and fine patisserie products. Today, he combines his Persian heritage and passion in Berlin’s first Persian patisserie. Alireza aims to create a dialogue between humanity and nature through his creations, using form, colour, and taste to convey messages from nature.
Johannes Warmuth
A chef who grew up on an Austrian mountain farm and was inspired by his grandparents' hotel business. Johannes trained as both a kitchen and pastry chef, and has experience working in prestigious 5-star hotels, such as Badrutt's Palace in St. Moritz, Hotel Sacher in Vienna, and Chewton Glen in England. In Austria, he was a pastry chef for Cafe Central. Now, he shares his expertise as a seminar leader at Vienna Pastry Arts. Filled with knowledge, this pastry chef is ready to compete in the German National Selection and fulfil his lifelong dream.
Pascal Gruber
Pascal grew up in Schwäbisch Hall, where he completed his studies in pastry school, followed by a successful internship. He landed his dream job in a pastry shop not long after. In 2024, he officially became a chocolatier. Today, he works at the Cafehaus Ableitner. This chef has the goal of evoking family game nights through the playful theme of this WCM edition. He can't wait to show the world his creations, with the hope of inspiring them with his quick-witted nature represented in each of his recipes.
Venia Flessa
This chef is originally from Athens. She discovered her calling for patisserie more than a decade ago. After multiple roles as a pastry chef in her home country, she moved to Germany. In her new home, she created the "Taste of Hilton", her Or Noir chocolate for the Hilton Hotel at the Munich Airport. Throughout her career, Venia received an astonishing number of awards and recognitions, including from the Pastry Arts International and the AZ Professional Pastry magazines. Having participated in TV competitions like "Bake Off", she can't wait to recreate the feeling of nature through "Play!".
Wolfgang Ebel
After completing an apprenticeship as a baker before passing his master craftsman’s examination, his passion for fine confectionery led him to roles as a bakery and confectionery manager, and eventually to his work in a hotel restaurant. Recently, his skills reached new heights when he turned into a certified chocolatier. This chef is particularly excited about this year's theme. He sees it as a chance to represent the spectrum of human emotions and their connection to culinary creativity. He looks to share his love for chocolate with the world while getting to work with the top chocolate chefs in the country.
Meet the jury
Meet the jury
Matthias Ludwigs
Jury president
His culinary journey started at the young age of 16, followed by confectionery training, and has been refined in high-end restaurants ever since. Today he's a leading pastry chef who has authored eight dessert books and made regular TV appearances since 2009. An instructor at the Chocolate Academy Cologne and an ambassador for Cacao Barry, the chef co-owns ToertchenToertchen. He's received prestigious recognitions, including Pastry Chef of the Year 2009 and Finest Taste Award in 2008.
Eveline Wild
A celebrated pastry chef and author of three bestselling baking books. She has been a jury member on Deutschlands bester Bäcker and hosts cooking shows like Frisch gekocht and Schmeckt perfekt. Besides having her own chocolatery, she was Chef Patissière at Steirereck, Austria's top restaurant. Among her many achievements is a gold medal from Seoul's World Skills Championships. Known for her playful yet precise approach to pastry, Eveline’s work is driven by creativity and craftsmanship.
Lothar Buss
This chef has been recognised as one of Germany's top chocolatiers. He began his career as a chef and pastry chef with valuable experience in Michelin-starred restaurants before focusing only on chocolate artistry. His creations showcase a blend of high-quality craftsmanship, refined flavours, and artistic flair. Based in Cologne, Lothar continually pushes the limits of chocolate-making, inspiring others with his dedication and innovative approach to the art of this craft.
Lucia Kranz
A familiar face on SWR's Kaffee oder Tee as a TV baker since 2018 and a victorious chef at the Championnat du Chocolat à Coblence. From 2018 to 2021, Lucia perfected her skills as a pastry chef at Villa Rothschild and Falkenstein Grand under the Kempinski/Marriott brand. A year later, she opened a pastry shop where she continues to express her passion for baking and chocolate artistry until today. Known for her creativity, she is quickly establishing herself as a rising star in the pastry world.
PRACTICAL
PRACTICAL
DATE
26-28 OCTOBER 2024
PLACE
Südback Fair
Stuttgart, Germany
