Dominique Persoone and son Julius awarded Flemish Chocolatier of the Year 2023 by Gault&Millau | Instagram VTM NEWS

Dominique Persoone and his son Julius have won the title of ‘Chocolatier ofthe Year Flanders’ for 2023 with their shop The Chocolate Line. Gault & Millauannounced this today. “It makes me quiet, and I don’t have that often,”Dominique said after the announcement.

“I can’t imagine a better gift for 30 years of The Chocolate Line!”, writesPersoone on his Instagram account when he announces the news. “We were onlyable to achieve this thanks to the commitment of our team! During the firstcorona wave there was a lot of uncertainty, our production team almostcompletely left. I then gave my son Julius the opportunity to create a wholenew group as head of the studio and look: almost two years later at theresult, world class! My respect for their motivation is great, what arecognition. It makes me quiet and I don’t have that often.”

Gault&Millau is a big fan of the work of Dominique and Julius. The lattertherefore seems to be following in his father’s footsteps. “Dominique Persoonemade the craft sexy,” according to the organization. A word he often useshimself to emphasize that chocolate can be hip, cool and even seductive. Andto show that in addition to being professional, his relationship withchocolate is above all passionate, and appeals to the chocolate freak wholikes to return to the roots with him.

Persone takes those roots literally. Among other things, he works with theproceeds of his own cocoa plantations in Mexico and is one of the pioneers ofthe bean-to-bar idea in our country. For this he works with local farmers. Aportion of the proceeds will go back to local animal care in Mexico.

“I buy directly from the farmers, I make sure they receive training and I paya fair price. I also support the social chocolate factory in Virunga in Congo,together with the Prince de Merode. The reason behind it is the same: to givefarmers a chance to earn something from the wonderful product they grow, Ireally want to make a difference in that,” Persoone said in an interview withHLN.

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