Simon Bregardis Named Chocolatier of the Year

On a day when Las Vegas is being shunned by the James Beard Foundation Awards comes some reassuring news that Sin City has some amazing talent. Simon Bregardis, the assistant pastry chef at the Bellagio, was named chocolatier of the year in the L’Art du Chocolatier Challenge 2012.

Bregardis took part in a two-day competition in Chicago May 5-6, and nabbed first place along with Best Showpiece and Best Workmanship awards. But that’s not all. Florent Cheveau, pastry chef at Jean-Philippe Pâtisserie at the Bellagio and Aria, came in second and won the Best Tasting award.

Take that, JBF Awards.
· All Coverage of Bellagio [~ELV~]
· All Coverage of Jean-Philippe Pâtisserie [~ELV~]
Simon Bregardis, the assistant pastry chef at the Bellagio. [Photo: Bellagio]