PORTLAND, Ore. -- World-renowned chef Julian Rose has joined Portland-based Moonstruck Chocolate Company as its Master Chocolatier and Director of Research and Development.

Chef Rose, a classically educated pastry chef and confectioner, is known the world over as an authority on chocolate and brings more than 25 years of experience to his position with Moonstruck Chocolate.

Moonstruck Chocolate Chairman Dave Bany says they searched throughout North America and Europe for "the perfect person with the right combination of skills, creativity and experience."

Rose was born and raised in Montreal, where his family owned a well-known and well-regarded pastry shop, "Patisserie Rose," for nearly 40 years.

Rose took over the pastry chef positions at two restaurants in Montreal while continuing to work in his family's pastry shop on weekends.

Rose succeeds Robert Hammond, who retired in 2006 after seven years during two different stints with Moonstruck Chocolate Company.