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Photos of chocolate transformed into creatures at the World Chocolate Masters in Belgium

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Photos of chocolate transformed into creatures at the World Chocolate Masters in Belgium
News

News

Photos of chocolate transformed into creatures at the World Chocolate Masters in Belgium

2026-10-27 23:03 Last Updated At:23:21

ANTWERP, Belgium (AP) — Contestants from across the globe turned chocolate into a praying mantis, an elf and birds at the World Chocolate Masters in Antwerp, Belgium. The two-day competition challenges professionals to complete creative chocolate assignments before an international jury.

A chocolate bird, created by Johannes Warmuth of Austria, on display during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

A chocolate bird, created by Johannes Warmuth of Austria, on display during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

South Korea's Sanghwa Lee, begins to plate her dishes as she competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

South Korea's Sanghwa Lee, begins to plate her dishes as she competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Keita Koshimizu, of Japan, competes with his chocolate creation during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Keita Koshimizu, of Japan, competes with his chocolate creation during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

France's Samuel Fremaux, competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

France's Samuel Fremaux, competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Italy's Tommaso Grollero competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Italy's Tommaso Grollero competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Japan's Keita Koshimizu competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Japan's Keita Koshimizu competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Jesus Quiros, of Spain, carries his chocolate creation onto its pedestal as he competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Jesus Quiros, of Spain, carries his chocolate creation onto its pedestal as he competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

A pastry chef competes with his chocolate creation during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

A pastry chef competes with his chocolate creation during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Sanghwa Lee, of South Korea, competes with her chocolate creation depicting a bird and vase during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Sanghwa Lee, of South Korea, competes with her chocolate creation depicting a bird and vase during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Italy's Tommaso Grollero, competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Italy's Tommaso Grollero, competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Kasper Kleihs, of Sweden, competes with his chocolate creation depicting an elf during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Kasper Kleihs, of Sweden, competes with his chocolate creation depicting an elf during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Representing the Nordic countries, Kasper Kleihs, competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Representing the Nordic countries, Kasper Kleihs, competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Chocolate artisans compete on the main floor during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Chocolate artisans compete on the main floor during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Samuel Fremaux, of France, competes with his chocolate creation depicting a praying mantis during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Samuel Fremaux, of France, competes with his chocolate creation depicting a praying mantis during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

More Images
A chocolate bird, created by Johannes Warmuth of Austria, on display during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

A chocolate bird, created by Johannes Warmuth of Austria, on display during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

South Korea's Sanghwa Lee, begins to plate her dishes as she competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

South Korea's Sanghwa Lee, begins to plate her dishes as she competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Keita Koshimizu, of Japan, competes with his chocolate creation during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Keita Koshimizu, of Japan, competes with his chocolate creation during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

France's Samuel Fremaux, competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

France's Samuel Fremaux, competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Italy's Tommaso Grollero competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Italy's Tommaso Grollero competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Japan's Keita Koshimizu competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Japan's Keita Koshimizu competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Jesus Quiros, of Spain, carries his chocolate creation onto its pedestal as he competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Jesus Quiros, of Spain, carries his chocolate creation onto its pedestal as he competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

A pastry chef competes with his chocolate creation during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

A pastry chef competes with his chocolate creation during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Sanghwa Lee, of South Korea, competes with her chocolate creation depicting a bird and vase during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Sanghwa Lee, of South Korea, competes with her chocolate creation depicting a bird and vase during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Italy's Tommaso Grollero, competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Italy's Tommaso Grollero, competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Kasper Kleihs, of Sweden, competes with his chocolate creation depicting an elf during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Kasper Kleihs, of Sweden, competes with his chocolate creation depicting an elf during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Representing the Nordic countries, Kasper Kleihs, competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Representing the Nordic countries, Kasper Kleihs, competes during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Chocolate artisans compete on the main floor during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Chocolate artisans compete on the main floor during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Samuel Fremaux, of France, competes with his chocolate creation depicting a praying mantis during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Samuel Fremaux, of France, competes with his chocolate creation depicting a praying mantis during the World Chocolate Masters event in Antwerp, Belgium, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

DNA connects serial killer Ted Bundy to the death of another Utah teenager, authorities announced Tuesday, exactly 52 years after her body was discovered in the woods by a hunter.

Bundy has been dead since 1989, but the tally of his confirmed victims continues to grow due to advances in DNA testing. He killed at least 30 women and girls in multiple states in the 1970s, and many more escaped or survived with injuries.

Investigators are satisfied that Bundy was responsible for killing 17-year-old Melissa Ann Smith in 1974, a death that had long been listed as a cold case, Summit County Attorney Margaret Olson said at a news conference.

They were able to close the case by making crucial connections with DNA found on Smith and Laura Aime, another Bundy victim whose case was resolved last April in Utah County. Bundy's DNA was on file in Florida, where he was convicted and ultimately executed.

Besides that evidence, Smith’s death showed hallmarks of Bundy’s “pattern, motive, means and opportunity,” Olson said.

Utah's state crime lab got new technology in 2023 that extracts DNA from samples even if they are small, degraded from age or contain DNA from multiple people.

“This case demonstrates the importance of preserving evidence,” said Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera, whose department has also investigated homicides linked to Bundy.

“We have to solve these cases to the best of our ability,” she said, explaining the importance of tapping science, even so many years later. "Nobody is just going to walk away and just blame everything on Ted Bundy, even though many cases have been that way. Here in the state of Utah, we take it very seriously.”

Smith's relatives were contacted about the findings but declined to attend the news conference and declined to speak to reporters, the Summit County Sheriff's Office said.

“With every case closure, may we stomp the memory of Ted Bundy out,” Utah County Sgt. Mike Reynolds said.

Bundy was executed by electric chair in Florida for the 1978 murders of two women at the Chi Omega sorority house at Florida State University.

He gave a series of confessions in his final days, including to some crimes that were previously unknown to police. Not all of those cases have been confirmed.

Besides Florida and Utah, authorities said Bundy had victims in Colorado, Idaho and Washington state. They said they're especially working to solve the 1974 death of 16-year-old Nancy Wilcox of Utah.

Solving the Smith homicide “does not close the book on Ted Bundy,” said Det. Ben Pender of the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office, which has the Wilcox investigation. “Information kind of leads to Ted Bundy but again we're not for certain on Nancy Wilcox. We're going to continue to work that case."

FILE - Ted Bundy smiles during the second day of jury selection for his murder trial in a Dade County courtroom in Miami, June 27, 1979. (AP Photo, Pool, File)

FILE - Ted Bundy smiles during the second day of jury selection for his murder trial in a Dade County courtroom in Miami, June 27, 1979. (AP Photo, Pool, File)

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