Cocoa and chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut, a sponsor of the U.S. finals of the World Chocolate Masters competition, announced the winner of the finals to be Chef Lionel Clement. As chef chocolatier at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, winning the competition made Clement the U.S. National Chocolate Master 2008-2009.

Using chocolate brandsCallebaut,Cacao BarryandCarma, participants were required to create large chocolate sculptures conveying the “Haute Couture” theme and high fashion. Clement’s sculpture featured the silhouette of a woman’s face with flowing hair and a hat made from different chocolate layers.

Clement will represent the United States at the 2009 World Chocolate Masters competition, located in Paris at the Salon Du Chocolat Professionnel from Oct. 14-16, 2009.