Jean-Paul Hévin facts for kids
Jean-Paul Hévin (born on December 10, 1957, in Méral, France) is a famous French chocolate maker. He creates fancy, high-quality chocolates. You can find his chocolate shops in many places around the world. He has 6 stores in Paris, 11 in Japan, 1 in Hong Kong, and 2 in Taipei. His main office is in Paris.
Jean-Paul Hévin's Sweet Career
Jean-Paul Hévin started his journey in the world of sweets very early. In 1974, he earned a special certificate. This certificate showed he was skilled as a confectioner (someone who makes candies and sweets), a chocolatier (someone who makes chocolates), and an ice cream maker.
The next year, in 1975, he began working as an apprentice. An apprentice learns a trade by working with an expert. He worked at the Intercontinental Hotel, learning how to make delicious treats.
In 1976, Jean-Paul moved to the Nikko Hotel. He continued as an apprentice there. Later, he became a pastry chef, making all sorts of cakes and desserts. He stayed at the Nikko Hotel until 1988.
That same year, 1988, was a big one for him! Jean-Paul Hévin opened his very first chocolate shop in Paris. It was called "Le Petit Boulé." He opened another shop in Paris in 1990. In 1997, he opened a special tea house on Rue Saint Honoré in Paris.
In 2002, he started selling his chocolates in Japan. He opened two chocolate-themed bars there. Before this, he had already worked in Japan. He was in charge of a special food laboratory in Tokyo. Over the years, Jean-Paul Hévin opened more stores in Paris and Japan. He also created new chocolate products. These included cheese-flavored chocolate snacks and chocolate energy bars.
In March 2008, he opened two more shops, this time in Hong Kong.
About Jean-Paul Hévin's Life
Jean-Paul Hévin's father was a farmer in Mayenne, France. His mother loved to cook, and she taught him how to make his first recipes. Even though his father enjoyed eating sweets, cakes were not the most important thing for their family.
Jean-Paul only started making pastries when he was 13 years old. He began with simple pies. At first, Hévin wanted to be an electronic engineer. He even applied to a school in his area. However, he missed the application deadline. So, he decided to learn how to make pastries instead. He went to Laval's technical school, Robert-Buron. There, he earned his certificate as a confectioner and chocolate maker.
Awards and Contests
Jean-Paul Hévin has won many awards for his amazing chocolate creations. Here are some of them:
- 1979: Gold medal at the Arpajon Gourmet Contest.
- 1980: First prize at the Charles Proust contest.
- 1982: First Prize at the French Cup of Pastry.
- 1983: First Prize at the World Chocolat Master.
- 1984: First Prize at the Arpajon Gourmet Contest.
- 1986: He was named Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Best French Workman) for Pastry and Confectionery. This is a very high honor in France.
- 2003: He received "Five Bars" from the Club des Croqueurs de Chocolat, a famous chocolate tasters' club.
- 2004: He was named the number one chocolate maker in Japan by Nikkei Shinbun, a major newspaper.
- 2005: His macaroon was chosen as Paris' Best Macaroon in the "Classic" category.
