World-renowned chocolatier Amaury Guichon recently brought his signature artistry to the FIFA Club World Cup Final in NYC, unveiling a breathtaking chocolate sculpture, created in collaboration with BEYOND Hospitality. The piece showcased creativity, sport, and a high-end experience.

What was your inspiration behind the chocolate sculpture you created for the FIFA Club World Cup Final in New York?

I wanted to craft something specific to the sport. Something that everyone loves and recognises!

How did the collaboration with BEYOND Hospitality come about, and what was unique about working with them on such a high-profile event?

They had reached out to my team to explore what might be possible for this exciting event. I loved their creative thoughts on the dessert aspect, and they really let me have creative freedom and trusted my vision on the showpiece as well. My signature Sweet Burger pastry aligned perfectly for the event. It was a great experience working with them on such an iconic event.

What were some of the biggest technical challenges you faced when designing and constructing a sculpture of this scale and detail?

The construction overall was difficult because of the size, and I really wanted to bring the piece to life with all of the necessary details. The toughest part was shipping the piece from my kitchen in Las Vegas to New York and then assembling it at the stadium.

Your sculptures often stretch the boundaries of what’s possible with chocolate. What inspires you in your craft?

To be honest, everything inspires me! I look around and see objects daily that I would love to craft out of chocolate. I always love a new challenge and to try and push the boundaries of what might be possible in the world of pastry. Sport and pastry might seem like an odd pairing. How do you see the worlds of luxury, culinary art, and global events blending? I believe they blend perfectly because whether it is a sporting event or a pastry, the goal of both aspects is to provide the customer with an amazing experience that they will never forget! By combining all of these elements, it allows guests to have an elevated, unforgettable experience.

How long did it take you and your team to complete the FIFA sculpture, from start to the final presentation, and the chocolate?

It took me 1 week to craft the entire piece. I have 1 assistant who helps with filming, but other than that, it is just me.

Do you have a creative process you follow when preparing for a project of this size?

Yes, I sketch and then leave the concept on my desk to think about it until the vision really matures in my head.

What role did BEYOND Hospitality play in helping you bring your creative vision to life?

They really believed in my vision and gave me a lot of creative freedom to bring my creations to life for the event.

You’ve enthralled audiences worldwide with your amazing chocolate creations. How do you remain so driven?

My goal is to push the boundaries and to challenge myself each time, and I believe that is what drives me to remain so focused and driven. I love to bring my audience new and exciting creations that they have never seen before.

What’s next on your horizon? Any upcoming projects you’re particularly excited about?

I do have some new and exciting collaborations coming up this year that I have been working on. Unfortunately, I can’t say too much about them yet, but I am very excited for everyone to see what is coming. Stay tuned!