Wynn Las Vegas Chocolatier Lionel Clement Places Second in World Chocolate Masters Competition

Lionel Clement, the chocolatier at Wynn Las Vegas, has placed second in the World Chocolate Masters Competition, held in Paris from October 14-16. Clement was the U.S. representative in this premium international culinary competition, finishing ahead of 17 other chocolate masters. His winning interpretation of the theme, "Haute Couture," took the form of an avant-garde pair of scissors adorned with the silhouette of a woman's face and an elaborate hat formed from different layers of chocolate with a large spool of chocolate thread positioned at the base of the structure.

To be selected for this prestigious competition, Clement defeated four other pastry chefs and chocolatiers from some of the leading hotels and restaurants in the country at the U.S. finals held in New York City in 2008. The French-born chef has been producing chocolate for Wynn Las Vegas for the past three years and oversees the resort's chocolate room.

The World Chocolate Masters Competition was created in 2004 as the world's finest international culinary competition devoted solely to the creative use of chocolate in all its applications. This year's three-day competition was held in the "Salon du Chocolat Professionnel" exhibition at the Porte de Versailles in Paris. An international jury of 22 of the world's leading chocolate professionals judged contestants based on their work and creativity through the use of chocolate.