Exotic chocolate takes centre stage at Brussels Chocoladesalon
The fourth edition of the Chocoladesalon takes place in Brussels this month, with a chocolate fashion show, workshops and more
On food and drink in Flanders
One of the big hits from previous editions, a fashion parade of dresses made from chocolate, opens a special pre-salon evening next Thursday, normally reserved for VIPs and media but this year open to the public. One-third of the €30 admission goes to Télévie, a charity that raises funds for cancer and leukaemia research.
The fashion show continues at 17.00 on subsequent days, with designers including Natan and students from the François Ferrer school, teamed up with chocolatiers like Laurent Gerbaud, Valentino and Jean-Luc Decluzeau of Leonidas.
Friday’s programme includes a series of workshops by names like Dominique Persoone of the Chocolate Line in Bruges, Brussels biscuit-maker Maison Dandoy, Christophe Hardiquest of famed Brussels restaurant Bon Bon and mixologist Matthieu Chaumont of the capital’s Hortense Food & Cocktails.
Elsewhere there are lectures, round-tables and debates on subjects such as matching beer and chocolate, combining olive and cocoa, bean-to-bar chocolate in Vietnam and, most importantly, the Belgian Chocolate Awards. If you’re bringing the kids along, they’re catered for with hands-on workshops every hour, as well as “cocoa classes” explaining where chocolate actually comes from.
Finally, this year’s salon highlights young rising talents, including Mina Apostolidis, a Greek-born chocolatier who marries chocolate with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours; Laurence Florent, whose creations are made without refined sugar, gluten, lactose or additives; and Chocolero, a start-up that works to convince South American farmers to switch from coca (from which cocaine is derived) to cocoa.
“Brussels’ image is inextricably linked with chocolate,” says Philippe Close, Brussels-City councillor in charge of tourism. “We have the best chocolatiers working in the most prestigious locations, real craftsmen who offer their delicious product in every shape and form, from the simple bar to the most sophisticated arrangements.”
10-12 February, Tour & Taxis, Havenlaan 86c, Brussels
Photo: Svend Andersen
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