Pastry chefs from around the world compete

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LAS VEGAS, July 10 (UPI) -- Team Japan was victorious at the World Pastry Team Championship in Las Vegas while South Korea's chocolate sculpture met with disaster.

The contest, which pits teams against one another to create the most impressive sculptures from chocolate and sugar in 13 hours, was won by the Japanese team Monday at Red Rock Resort, while Team USA took second and the Netherlands came in third, the Las Vegas Sun reported Tuesday.

The South Korean team's sculpture met with disaster when the fragile creation crumbled upon reaching the judge's table.

"These pieces are more fragile than glass," said Gary Guittard, a chocolate maker who provided materials to Team USA.

Alicia Boada, technical consultant for chocolate company Barry Callebaut, said the chefs spend more than a year planning their sculptures.

"These chefs put their lives on hold and immerse themselves in the competition, hoping they can move to the next level of their careers," she said.

"These teams go through their entire careers to advance their skills little by little, and the pinnacle of their career is to compete," Boada said. "When they win, their careers take off into dynamic directions."