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Christophe Rull is a world-renowned chocolate master, a cast member of Netflix's "Bake Squad," and the executive pastry chef at Los Angeles' iconic Hotel Bel-Air.
So, when it comes to anything sweet, we definitely trust his opinion.
Rull is developing a chocolate program at the hotel's new bakery, The Patisserie, but was happy to share the two store-bought chocolate brands he loves — just in time for holiday shopping — with Business Insider.
Courtesy of Hotel Bel-Air
Rull has been working as a pastry chef for more than 25 years. He's won two Food Network baking competitions — "Halloween Wars" and "Holiday Wars" — and starred in the Netflix series "Bake Squad." Rull also represented the US at the 2021 World Chocolate Masters, which is regarded as the "world cup" of chocolate artistry and selects 18 finalists every three years.
Rull told BI that one of his favorite store-bought chocolate brands is Läderach, which is currently run by 2018 World Chocolate Masters champion Elias Läderach, who made history as the first Swiss person to win the title.
Läderach has been producing handcrafted Swiss chocolates since 1962. It now has 200 chocolateries worldwide, including in eight states across the US, plus the UK, Canada, Europe, and Asia.
If you don't have a Läderach chocolatier nearby, you can buy its wide variety of offerings online.
Rull told BI he also swears by Jean-Marie Auboine's chocolate brand.
"He was my mentor for a few competitions about chocolate showpieces," Rull said. "He's one of the top chocolatiers in the country for sure."
Auboine was the executive pastry chef at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami and the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas before starting his eponymous company in 2011.
"It started with two people," Rull recalled. "Now, he delivers to Costco and luxury hotels all over the US."
The 16,000-square-foot Jean-Marie Auboine Chocolatier is located on the Las Vegas Strip, but the brand's variety of chocolates, caramels, French macarons, and more can be purchased on its website.
