Jean-François Castagné

External seminar instructor

From the age of 14, Jean-François Castagné was attracted by his father's profession - a pastry chef in the town of Mazamet (France).

In 1976, with a CAP (certificate of competence) in pastry and a BEP (vocational school certificate) in cookery in his pocket, following the death of his father, Jean-François decided to complete his training by working for Maurice Bernachon, one of the great names in pastry-and chocolate-making in Lyon.

He joined the family business, run by his mother, in 1979.

After obtaining his master's diploma in 1982, Jean-François discovered his passion for chocolate and decided to take part in his first competition in the Occitanie region. After several years of perseverance, training and encounters, he became the winner of the Jean-Marie Sibenaler trophy by winning the international chocolate grand prix in 1992.

The chocolate-making bug never left him and he became MOF (Meilleur Ouvrier de France) Chocolatier Confiseur in 1993.

For Jean-François, this title is not an end in itself, quite the contrary. It's a constant search for excellence in taste, in the way the products are made and in the artistic aspects. Having created the cold chocolate emulsion for his sculptures, from 1994 he taught this technique in numerous training courses in France and abroad.

From 1997 onwards, Jean-François Castagné, who is passionate about chocolate technology, will share his knowledge through professional training courses.

In 2013, he joined Felchlin as a consultant and ambassador for the brand, which for him embodies the same philosophy in the quest for excellence in the chocolate and pastry profession.