Jérôme Grimonpon voted Brussels’ best chocolate maker

A Brussels Frenchman has won the 2020 Gault & Millau title of the best chocolate maker in the city.

The jury of the famous gastronomic guide praised both the quality and originality of Grimonpon’s chocolate products, which frequently include ingredients such as a rosemary, matcha tea and a Japanese citrus fruit known as Yuzu.

Grimonpon (pictured left) left France to study chocolate-making in Belgium when he was 25. Six years ago, he launched his own chocolate story in Uccle, Jérôme Grimonpon Chocolatier. “I had to make many sacrifices but now I know it was all worth it,” Grimonpon told La Dernière Heure.

Grimonpon is no stranger to chocolate awards. Already in 2012, he won the title of Best Artisanal Chocolate-Maker in Belgium, and he placed second in the World Chocolate Awards in 2015.  

Grimonpon said the award was likely to boost sales in the coming weeks. “My chocolate will probably sell well during the winter holiday period. This will be a fantastic year for my business,” he said.

The title of Flanders’ best chocolate maker went to Joost Arijs in Ghent, East Flanders, while that of Wallonia went to Ariqua Denis in Andenne, Namur province.

Written by Linda A. Thompson

Photo: Belga / Jonas Van Boxel