Chloe Doutre-Roussel used to work for the UN

Chloe Doutre-Roussel was chosen out of 3,500 applicants to become a chocolate buyer for Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly.

The 36-year-old first tasted chocolate when she was three-years-old in Mexico where she says it was a scarce because of the hot climate so she learnt to appreciate it.

Fortnum & Mason's personnel director, Cathy O'Neill, said the company was looking for "somebody who had a passion".

I decided I wanted to educate my palate on what chocolates were good in the same way others might do with fine wine Chloe Doutre-Roussel

She said: "What is interesting about Chloe is that she hasn't really worked in the chocolate industry before.

"But she has pursued her love all her life in her own time."

Miss Doutre-Roussel said: "When I arrived in Europe to live at the age of 13 I was confronted by this huge range of chocolate.

"I decided I wanted to educate my palate on what chocolates were good in the same way others might do with fine wine."

World travel

Despite having various jobs, including as a project worker for the United Nations, Miss Doutre-Roussel always kept up her interest in the sweet.

She has created her own recipes and has worked with top chocolatiers in France.

For her new job she will be expected to travel the world tasting chocolate to add to the store's range of about 360 flavours.

The 36-year-old said: "Working in an environment where you have extremely good chocolate and a very good variety is a dream job."