Melbourne pastry chef Deniz Karaca has come third in the 2013 World Chocolate Masters in Paris.
It is the highest place achieved by an Australian in the history of the competition, which is dedicated to the creative use of chocolate and "the architecture of taste".
Nineteen of the world's top patissieres, chocolatiers and chefs competed in this year's international final.
"It's been a tough road, but I was really excited to get to Paris and show the judges and other contestants what Australia and the Asia-Pacific region has to offer," says Karaca, who is executive pastry chef at Epicure's MCG Culinary Centre.
Karaca also won a special award for best "decorated globe".
In order to take part in the finals, Karaca had to successfully navigate a year of qualifying competitions, starting with his win at the Australian national event in 2012. He went on to become the Asia-Pacific master at the regional selection held in Taiwan earlier in 2013.
During the three-day event, each contestant had to create a chocolate showpiece, a chocolate layered cake, dipped and moulded pralines, a decorated globe and a gastronomic chocolate dessert.
Italy's Davide Comaschi won the competition, and Marike van Eurden of the Netherlands came second.
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