Continental Qualifiers

Copa Maya 2018

I had met Hans Ovando on the competition arena and became good friends, there was a good bond having worked in similar backgrounds with the same people.
Hans Ovando asked me to support Him and Team Chile for the Copa Maya with Gustavo Saéz, and Franck Dieudonne the Chile Team President.
Hans had set up a number of training and coaching sessions with me and an open communication amongst the team and organisers to review the works, designs where put in place and productions started, after individual and joint trials because both candidates worked on opposite sides of the Atlantic. We all travelled to Mexico for preparation and to have the final trials.
Success was promising with some last minute and final tweaking of the sugar chocolate and tasted items and finishing table display.

Copa Maya “The Battle”

After an intense day of competition, Chile composed with the team of Hans Alexis Ovando David and Gustavo Saéz won the Copa Maya 2018, the last step before going to the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie Finale on 28th of January 2018, in Lyon, France.
A unique competition which requires deep concentration, strong commitment, extreme rigour and precision, the Copa Maya 2018, Latin American selection for the most prestigious pastry contest in the world, has just rewarded Chile as best Latin American pastry nation.
Hans Alexis Ovando David from Hans Ovando S.A., Barcelona and Gustavo Saéz, The Restaurant 99, Santiago, received the coveted trophy from the hands of Gabriel Paillasson, creator of the contest, on the April 11th in Mexico City.
After 6 hours of strenuous battle, these young chefs have presented stunning creations to the jury and Luis Robledo, its Honorary President. Thanks to their passion and originality, Hans Alexis Ovando David and Gustavo Saéz have propelled Chile onto the international pastry stage and have won their ticket to go to the Finale held in January in Lyon during the Sirha trade show.

• Winner – Copa Maya 2018: Chile crowned best Latin American Pastry nation!

“I was so pleased for Chile and the team, I had made some great new friends and a amazing result, unfortunately I was not permitted to coach them to the World Final at this time. Perhaps one day I will…?”. Martin Chiffers

Asian Pastry Cup

The Biggest Pastry Cup in Asia

Thanks to Niklesh Sharma for asking me to support Team India for the Asian Pastry Cup Team India with Mukesh and Alisha both working at The Academy of Pastry Arts in India Bangalore.
Whats app groups was formed and in place, idea shared and development well in progress, the team had some difficulties to overcome and I was able to assist with my coaching a visit to India.
I had never been to India before but eating the local food was the best, omg… Delicious.
Lots of hard work and development was made and some beautiful work to be very proud off.
Last training sessions in Malaysia before the Final team India left for Singapore.
Training with team India I really made a lot of lovely friends and working with different teams on all various elements showpieces, table display and tasted items, the organisation and setup.
Working as a team for a competition like this you have a lot of respect for each other that you cannot find easily in other industries and it’s emotional and sometimes, cultural rewarding experience.
“I hope to see India continue to develop its Pastry Culture and competing on the World Stage and would love to support them in the future”.

• Unfortunately India did not qualify for the World Pastry Cup but placed within the top 5 at the Asian Pastry Cup

Date: 2018
Role: Coach Team Chile  – Copa Maya
Image Credits: Martin Chiffers /  Alex Vera – I Study Alex Vera
Tag: #cmpatisserie #copamaya

Copa Maya
President: Franck Dieudonne
Candidate Chocolate: Hans Alexis Ovando David
Candidate Sugar: Gustavo Saéz
Support Coach: Martin Chiffers

Date: 2018
Role: Coach Team India – Asian Pastry Cup
Image Credits: Martin Chiffers /  Asia Pastry Cup
#cmpatisserie #asianpastrycup

Asian Pastry Cup
President / Coach: Sharma Niklesh
Candidate Chocolate: Faleiro Alisha
Candidate Sugar: Rawat Mukesh
Support Coach: Martin Chiffers