Shegeo Hirai, Grand Hyatt Tokyo, was selected as the World Chocolate Master 2009. Lionel Clement, Wynn Las Vegas, the winner of the 2008 competition, placed second and Michaela Karg from Germany placed third.
Sponsored by Barry Callebaut, the event was held during the Salon du Chocolat Professional exhibition in Paris. In addition to the overall winners, the jury of judges gave awards for best praline, best gastronomic chocolate dessert, best chocolate pastry and an international press award.