Lluc Crusellas, the chocolatier who from Osona seduced the world

It was in 2022 when a giant chocolate elephant introduced Lluc Crusellas (1996, Santa Eulàlia de Riuprimer) to the whole world. To win the most prized award in the cocoa world, the World Chocolate Masters, you need the mindset of an elite athlete. A well-adjusted head that Crusellas already had, who even now, as he is at the pinnacle of the pastry excellence pyramid, finds time to participate by bicycle in the Titan Desert. He has already been in the four previous editions and explains that, if the dates allow it, we will see him pedaling there again. From the desert to desserts, since the village boy –a village that has named him a favorite son– is requested all over the world to give courses. This very year, he is expected in Poland, France, Belgium, Italy, China, and Japan. That is why he has also been in charge of designing the Barcelona box of chocolates. They are called Gaudeat and can be bought at the architect's iconic buildings. There are nine chocolates inspired by his work, including the dragon of Park Güell. Crusellas has also made his way into the Chocolate Museum, located in the Born neighborhood of Barcelona. There is a majestic replica of the famous chocolate elephant sculpture with which he won the contest. Although it is a meter and a half high and weighs 100 kilos, it is a smaller version made to scale. The original was around 200 kilos of chocolate.

It goes without saying that no one is born knowing everything, and Crusellas has reached this point thanks to the help of other people who believed in him. One of them is Nandu Jubany, who at 17 gave him a job in the dessert section of his restaurant. He trained in prestigious schools in our country, such as the Hofmann Pastry School and Espai Sucre. And later he worked at El Carme Pastisseria, of the PaVic group. In fact, another proper name that must be highlighted is that of Josep Novellas, the discreet manager of PaVic, who believed in the young pastry chef and supported him in the contest in Spain and the one in the world. Crusellas' journey to Paris, where the contest was held, can be seen because Jordi Torra filmed him at all times. In fact, it ended up being the documentary Lluc, a chronicle of pastry, which was presented with great expectation at the Atlàntida in Vic.

A constant growth

Lluc Crusellas has not stopped for a single moment since he was crowned at the top of the podium. He created his brand Eukarya, where he has crafted Easter cakes so beautiful that many bakeries copy them. He, however, does not get too upset about it. He has adapted to trends without compromising on quality, as is the case with his bestseller: the Dubai chocolate bar with real pistachio. He sells it online but also in physical stores. In both cases, it is a brand that is currently expanding. As is Crusellas' recognition abroad, where he is highly sought after to be included in the most prestigious labels on a global scale. Everyone wants to work with the chocolatier from Santa Eulàlia de Riuprimer.