Founding Partner Valrhona and Gold Partner Midwest Imports Renew Support for Pastry Team USA in Preparation for Global Competition
New York, NY – Tuesday, 24 September 2024 – Club Coupe du Monde Team USA is proud to announce the renewed support of two key partners — Valrhona and Midwest Imports Ltd. — as the team prepares for the prestigious 2027 Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie in Lyon, France. Valrhona, the founding partner of the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie, and Midwest Imports Ltd., a gold-level partner, have both reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to supporting Pastry Team USA’s journey toward excellence on the world stage.
Valrhona: Founding Partner and Champion of Global Pastry Excellence
Valrhona’s relationship with Pastry Team USA stretches back to the inaugural Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie in 1989. As a premier French chocolate manufacturer, Valrhona has continually shaped the global pastry arena, offering not only exceptional products but also inspiring the artistic and technical growth of pastry chefs worldwide. Their enduring influence has helped create a culture of innovation and excellence, elevating the competition and teams globally.
“We are honored to once again welcome Valrhona as a key partner in our journey to the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie,” said Chef Stéphane Chéramy, president of Club Coupe du Monde Team USA. “Valrhona’s unparalleled legacy in the competition and their commitment to quality, sustainability, and forward-thinking make them essential to our preparation for 2027.”
Valrhona’s impact goes beyond their products. Their leadership has been instrumental in guiding the future direction of Pastry Team USA, including playing a pivotal role in the recent search for new leadership. Benjamin Brito, CEO of Valrhona Inc USA, worked tirelessly to identify Chef Stéphane Chéramy as president, ensuring the team is well-positioned to excel in future competitions.
“We are honored to continue our strong partnership with Pastry Team USA and pastry teams worldwide,” Brito said. “Valrhona has been at the heart of the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie since the beginning, and we feel a great responsibility in ensuring the success of not only Pastry Team USA but all global teams striving for pastry excellence.”
This sense of responsibility drives Valrhona’s commitment to the entire global pastry community. As a founding partner of the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie, Valrhona fosters a spirit of collaboration and innovation, helping teams push the boundaries of their craft and set new standards of excellence.
“We are incredibly proud to renew our longstanding partnership with Pastry Team USA and pastry teams around the world,” Brito added. “At Valrhona, we don’t just see ourselves as a sponsor — we feel a profound responsibility to the success of every team competing on the world stage. Valrhona has been part of this journey since the beginning, and we are deeply committed to fostering innovation, excellence, and a sense of unity within the global pastry community.”
Midwest Imports Ltd.: Empowering Pastry Team USA with Top-Tier Facilities and Ingredients
Midwest Global Imports, a long-standing gold partner of Club Coupe du Monde Team USA, will continue to provide premium ingredients and cutting-edge training facilities to the U.S. Pastry Team. Their support for over a decade now has been pivotal in ensuring that Pastry Team USA has access to the best tools and resources needed to succeed at the highest level.
“We are excited to renew our partnership with Midwest Imports for the 2027 competition,” said Chef Chéramy. “Their commitment to providing top-quality ingredients and exceptional training environments directly aligns with our mission to showcase the best of American pastry on the global stage.”
Rick Jurkowski, General Manager of Midwest Global Imports, added, “Having the proper facilities and resources plays a vital role in the success of Pastry Team USA, and we are honored to continue supporting the team for the 2027 Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie. We are committed to providing the finest products and resources to help the team, as well as every chef and pastry chef to excel in the kitchen.”
“We believe in fostering long-term relationships with our partners. What excites us most about working with Pastry Team USA is the opportunity to contribute to a shared vision of excellence and creativity,” said Todd Ostrowski, sales manager at Midwest Imports. “One of the most rewarding aspects of our partnership with Pastry Team USA is seeing the impact it has beyond the competition. The techniques, creativity, and innovations developed during their preparations in our kitchen inspires chefs and pastry chefs across the country. It’s exciting to see how their work influences the broader culinary community.”
Chef Kévin D’Andréa, Sponsorship Director for Club Coupe du Monde Team USA, expressed enthusiasm for the ongoing collaboration: “Having partners like Valrhona and Midwest Imports Ltd. ensures that our team is equipped to push boundaries and elevate our craft. Their support is a testament to their belief in our vision, and we look forward to working together as we prepare to represent the U.S. on the world stage.”
For Sponsorship Opportunities:
To learn more about supporting Club Coupe du Monde Team USA and becoming a sponsor, please contact Chef Kévin D’Andréa at [email protected].
About Club Coupe du Monde Team USA
Club Coupe du Monde Team USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to inspiring excellence, creativity, and innovation in the pastry arts. The organization selects and supports the best American pastry chefs to represent the U.S. at the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie in Lyon, France. This prestigious biannual competition features 50 countries and is recognized as the premier global pastry competition. For more information, visit www.pastryteamusa.com.
About Valrhona
Created in 1922 for pastry chefs by Pastry Chef Alberic Guironnet, Valrhona is a French chocolate manufacturer based in the small town of Tain-l’Hermitage. Valrhona is one of the preferred brands by pastry chefs around the world producing consistent, complex, balanced and unique chocolates. Valrhona is known for inspiring innovations in chocolate including DULCEY blond chocolate, the fourth color of chocolate and the INSPIRATION range, a line of fruits couvertures. Since January 2020 Valrhona has been B Corp certified, a certification that recognizes the most committed companies to their partner producers, employees, and customers. The company employs thirty Corporate Pastry Chefs worldwide and runs four Pastry and Chocolate Schools: “L’Ecole Valrhona”: two are located in France, one in Japan, one in Dubai and one in Brooklyn.
In the spirit of partnership with chefs and chocolatiers, the brand has constantly increased the support given to its customers over the years to promote them and the industry. This has taken the form of prestigious events such as the World Pastry Cup that Valrhona co-founded in 1989 or partnerships with the James Beard Foundation. Valrhona is proud to be part of a larger group, Valrhona Selection, which includes the following sister brands that are present in the North American market: Republica del Cacao, Norohy Vanilla, Chocolatree Décor and Sosa Ingredients. For more information, visit www.valrhona.us.
About Midwest Imports Ltd.
For over 30 years, Midwest Global Imports (MGI) has been an importer and distributor, delivering the finest sweet and savory ingredients from around the globe to professional kitchens throughout the Midwest. Since 2021, MGI has also become a master importer and distributor of many superior quality brands on a national level. Some of these brands include Ancel, Atelier, Decorum, Fruits Rouges, Nobel, Rialto Fruits, and Sebalce. As a premier supplier of high-quality ingredients, tools, and vessels to the pastry and culinary professions, Midwest Global Imports is renowned for its commitment to excellence and unparalleled customer service. The company partners with top-tier chefs and culinary institutions across the U.S. and internationally, offering an extensive catalog of premium products designed to meet the needs of professionals in the culinary arts. For more information, visit midwestimports.com.
(Sirha) Pastry World Cup (Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie): pastry revolution
Pastry is emerging in the contemporary world. The desserts are now combining their sensitivity to technicality, to the new architectural and sensory expressions. Nothing stops the sweet creators of the 21st century. And since the world is moving on, the Pastry World Cup is changing dimension, with a completely rethought universal identity. Product sourcing, natural tastes, precise gestures, team spirit are combined for an intense and visionary baking experience.
Pastry World Cup is organized by the global brand Sirha Food, part of the GL events group. For more information: www.cmpatisserie.com/en
Contacts:
Chuck Mirarchi
Club Coupe du Monde Team USA
Email: [email protected]
Marine Leman
Valrhona
Email: [email protected]
Rick Jurkowski
Midwest Global Imports, Ltd.
Email: [email protected]
