Chocolatier Julie Vamborm’s praline voted best of Belgium

Julie Vanborm of chocolate shop De Zwarte Vos in Deinze, East Flanders, created a praline that was chosen as the best Belgian praline during last Friday’s fourth national Chocolaterie Awards 2015 in Bruges. The 29-year-old chocolatier was also awarded first prize for originality.

The jury assessed the chocolate creations of 27 professional and 23 student chocolatiers from all over the country based on taste, appearance, texture, design and originality. For Julie, who lives in Machelen and has been working in the chocolate industry for ten years, the title of Belgium’s best praline is an incentive for the future.

“Last year I won second prize,” says Julie. “A lot of work and preparation went into getting the design and taste of this praline just right. I tried to create something small but refined and full of flavour."

"I made the praline using fresh buckthorn berry with lime, a soft rosemary salve and coconut atop a crispy layer of coffee and spices. The flavour was able to convince the jury, but it was the bit of crunch in the middle of the praline that helped me win the prize for originality.”

The award-winning chocolate goes on sale today at De Zwarte Vos.