Chayma Boutkabout from l’Atelier in Barcelona’s Galvany neighbourhood has won the second Paco Torreblanca International Award for the World’s Best Chocolate Cake. The Moroccan pastry chef took home €3,000 on Friday for her creation, which impressed judges with its balanced textures and bold touch of smoky whisky. The award specifically highlighted the complexity of incorporating that distinctive flavour.
A heavyweight jury made the call, featuring Michelin-starred chef Martín Berasategui, El Celler de Can Roca’s Jordi Roca, renowned pastry chef Oriol Balaguer, and both Jacob and Paco Torreblanca. L’Atelier sits in the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district, a local favourite for serious pastry lovers.
The competition also awarded second place to Ecuadorian pastry chef Steben Gaviño from Quito, who received €2,000. Meanwhile, third place went to Argentine-Spanish chef Martín de Luca, who’s based in Barcelona and pocketed €1,000. Berasategui himself presented the award to Boutkabout during the ceremony in Elche.
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