When Franschhoek does something, it does it really well! No longer being able to claim Gourmet Capital status, due to the dominance by Stellenbosch, Franschhoek is now focusing on chocolate-making, with two new chocolate shops having opened in the past two months, in addition to the long-established Huguenot Fine Chocolates:
Huguenot Fine Chocolates: This started as an empowerment project for the local community with the aid of the Franschhoek Belgium Development Trust, and has operated for years on Franschhoek’s main road. Staff have been sent to Belgium, to learn chocolate-making, and Belgian chocolate is used to make a range of 35 chocolates. Partners Danny Windvogel and Denver Adonis run the operation, and offer ‘The Chocolate Experience’ half-hour tour of their operation. Chocolates with customised logos can be made. 62 Huguenot Road, Tel (021) 876-4096. www.huguenotchocolates.com
Le Chocolatier Factory: This chocolate manufacturing facility and shop opened next door to Café Le Chocolatier in Place Vendome, and uses Lindt chocolate. Swiss owner Daniel Waldis is passionate about chocolate, and is closely involved in his business. They use very little cocoa butter, to make the chocolates less fattening, the dark chocolates containing little sugar. They have the largest selection of chocolates sold (photograph above), and also serve chocolate-related products in their restaurant, including the best cakes in the village, muffins, and drinks (including a chocolate liqueur). Tours as well as chocolate-making courses offered. Place Vendome, Main Road. Tel (021) 876-2233.
Bijoux Chocolates: This chocolate shop opened officially this week, and is owned by Suzette
and Jason de Jongh, owners of Bijoux Square. Bertie is the chocolatier, having previously worked at Huguenot Fine Chocolates, and having trained in Belgium. Bertie did a specialist course in marzipan, ice-cream and chocolate-making in Anderlecht. With him works Joshua, a Franschhoek local. They use ‘chocolate mousse‘ to make their chocolates, rather than ‘fattening chocolate‘, they say. They plan to teach young locals the art of ‘chocolate tempering’, which gives chocolates a shiny finish. Bijoux Square, Tel (021) 876-3407. Website www.bijouxchocolates.com under construction. Twitter: @BijouxChoc1
Time will tell if three chocolate shops are sustainable in Franschhoek.
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: @WhaleCottage
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[…] When Franschhoek does something, it does it really well! No longer being able to claim Gourmet Capital status, due to the dominance by Stellenbosch, Franschhoek is now focusing on chocolate-making, with two new chocolate shops having opened in the past two months, in addition to the long-established Huguenot Fine Chocolates: (Whale Cottage) […]
Thank you for sharing all the wonderful stories and photos from Cape Town!
CHeers:)
Judit & Corina
Thank you Judit and Corina