The **National Showpiece Championship** stands as a hallmark of elite pastry artistry, challenging America’s best chefs to demonstrate technical mastery and groundbreaking creativity in sugar and chocolate. This archive celebrates a monumental year in the competition’s history, showcasing the rigorous standards—from the qualification requirements to the unparalleled judging panel—that establish this event as a definitive test of skill in the culinary world.
Some of America’s best pastry chefs came together to prove their showpiece making skills in the National Showpiece Championship. To qualify for the competition, each team leader had to have received either a medal or best in show at a national level competition. The teams were given six hours in which to complete their entry in either sugar or chocolate, their choice. The challenging task of judging fell onto some of most capable hands in the industry: Jean-Marie Auboine, Stephen Durfee, Jerome Landrieu, Susan Notter, Vincent Pilon, Karen Portaleo, Michelle Tampakis and head judge, Stéphane Treand, MOF. The pieces were so impressive, no one envied the judges.
National Showpiece Championship Winners Archive
The five categories to place in were:
Showpiece Championship – Most Excellent/Best Overall
We proudly announce The National Showpiece Champions,
Andy Chlebana and Nancy Carey
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Name of Showpiece: Theobroma Cacao ‘Geastrum’
“Given the innovative format and criterion set forth for the competition we approached our piece’s conception in an unconventional manner; beginning without a narrative theme but rather, focusing on the development of formal and structural strengths. (more…) To accomplish this we sought to employ and activate the space by paying close attention to the negative, working in the round, implying movement in the static and redistributing the layout of showpiece by employing both the vertical and horizontal.
Our theme’s evolution was informed by Frank O. Gehry architecture, Ernst Haeckel’s scientific drawings and the sculptures of both Lee Bontecou and Louise Bourgeois. Conceptually we set out to imply growth and poised beauty to create a biomorphic-futuristic form growing out of an unlikely medium; rocks. As if we were to unearth this organic form and it was yet unnamed, an earth star of sorts.”
-Andy Chlebana and Nancy Carey close
Best Chocolate Showpiece
Team Chlebana/Carey
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Best Sugar Showpiece
Team Hurlbert/Capper
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“The Abyss” was inspired by the last unexplored frontier, the ocean deep…(more) We too are exploring a new frontier with the tripod design. Jelly fish, anemones and lovely corals play in a sea of bubbles and waves. These playful creatures are exploring their ocean limits like we are exploring new design possibilities.
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Competitor’s Choice Award
Team DeWitt/Smoake
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The inspiration for our Showpiece, Smoake on the Water began 60 days ago…(more) during the exciting white water adventure we took through the Grand Canyon. Our showpiece depicts a typical day on The Grand! We wanted to capture the thrill of the white water, the beautiful unique layers of the canyon walls and the majestic wildlife all in one showpiece. We hope you have as much fun looking at our showpiece as we did finding our inspiration!
Paddle on!
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Audience Choice Award:
Team Mullaney/Ramirez
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“Playing in the Fountain”: A chocolate centerpiece that was designed to be… (more) different from the traditional abstract showpiece that is so common in competition today. The piece represents a fountain with a water source, water flowing from tower to tower, oxidized bronze statues, flowers, rocks and organic components. The towers are spheres of chocolate that receive and release “water” showing continuity throughout the piece.
A spigot introduces the water into the first tower, while the tops of the towers shoot water from one to another. The two statues (one female and one male) are set as if playfully running through the fountain. Flowers and green organic accents represent the foliage that would be found in a fountain. close
Team Mora/Rueda
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“Thor” – Man has always been dominated since… (more) the beginning of the heavens and earth by one demi-god – Thor. He is the beginning and the end. He symbolizes the inexorable flow of time in both its destructive and constructive effects in all realms. He personifies an era in time.
In its ascension, we employ a unit of measure call time by which we live our lives. We live it in chaos, harmony and suspension. The very fabric of our being is mechanical yet spiritual in nature. Is THOR really myth? Why has he been worshipped for centuries and know as an action Hero…an Avenger to many.
My showpiece incorporates the philosophical side of man inter-reacting with the demigod of mans quest to be ruled throughout time. As the centuries pass, we will always be under his guiding vision. All mighty Thor’s gift of serenity and wisdom are attainable only through the progression of life, which is enrolled in time. I chose the spiritual world of Thor …. Called ASGARD. A futuristic world where magic, science, and religion are all in the same as one; THOR. Come and see the power of the GOD of THUNDER in his realm.
From when we enter our first moments on earth thru birth we are all subject to time’s progression. The loss of vitality in the body is balanced by the increasing spiritualization of the mind. The body becomes less filled with earthly matters and ever more balanced with matters of the spirit. Many cultures throughout the century have maintained the legends of Thor by way of worship.
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Archived Competition Structure and Rules
A New Competition Format
The Pastry Live Showpiece Championship was organized to overcome the time constraints and resource requirements chefs often experience in other competitions, making it feasible for top level chefs to participate at the highest level without making extraordinary personal and financial sacrifices.
Six teams of two chefs chose either chocolate or sugar as their showpiece medium. To qualify for the competition, each team leader must have received either a medal or best in show at a major pastry competition. The team leader was then free to choose a partner without any restrictions in regard to prior competitive recognition or experience.
Teams were given 6 hours in which to prepare their competition entry and had a chance to win a share of over $5,000 in cash and prizes. The winning showpiece earned its team the title of National Showpiece Champions.
Download a copy of the original rules Here
What the competition is…
This competition is intended to create a more level playing field for chefs. Provisions were put into place to reduce the financial burden of competing and restrict high dollar investments into specialty tools and equipment. The event is also intended to provide a unique opportunity for pastry chefs to demonstrate their skills and highlight their creativity and innovation. This competition is about new ideas, new techniques and new designs.
What the competition is not…
This competition is not meant to trip up competitors with endless rules and structure. At this level of competition, we believe an event should not limit the creativity of the contestants. There are specific rules, but more importantly, we want the spirit of the rules to be followed. Digging into every nook and cranny of the rules will not be worth the competitors time. Remember, this competition is not a casting challenge. Casting in molds and forms is important, but the integration of hand skills and/or casting manipulations is required, and will effect the scoring.
2011 National Showpiece Championship Teams
The success of the National Showpiece Championship highlights the enduring principles of elite pastry competition: the fusion of high-level technical skill with bold, innovative artistry. The winning showpieces and their underlying concepts—from the biomorphic futurism of the champions to the deep-sea inspiration of the Best Sugar team—continue to serve as a benchmark for creativity and execution. This event’s format remains a crucial model for fostering a challenging yet fair environment where true artistic talent can shine.