Following the chocolate weekend at Sablon previous weekend, we have between the 2nd and the 8th of April a chocolate mini-expo at Hotel Amigo near the Grand Place! It’s an annual contest of selected chocolatiers under the name “Exposition Bel’Oeuf” with a special theme of this year: “Pleasure and Movement”!
There are acknowledged names we all know and admire, which take part of this exposition: Pierre Marcollini, Laurent Gerbaud, Michael Lewis-Anderson, whom I know personally for many years, but there are names which are new, such as Arthur Armland, who upended his chocolate boutique in June previous year! He is just 26 years old and had to work 5 years of his life to save his own pocket money to start his exclusive boutique and his atelier! Now it’s a reality and he also participates in this competition of the chocolate Easter eggs! His competitive advantage is the use of the burch juice instead of sugar in his creations!
© photo Yelena van Kharitonova
Pierre Marcolini is present everywhere and how! Not only he is using the notion of “haute couture” not only as a tribute to the Belgian fashion, but also he highlights the standard he is applying to his chocolate business! Empire, actually! Everything he has done for the last decade! He was chosen as the best World Patisserier in 2020 and fully deserves this title!
Michel Lewis-Anderson is a British professional from the field, who is creating extravagant pieces, also for our fair at Hotel Amigo! He is known for giant cakes, he cateres for different parties, especially for international weddings!
© photo Yelena van Kharitonova
Laurent Gerbaud is someone, who used to play with the chocolate since the age of 6! Not toys! Nowadays he has a flagship boutique in front of BOZAR and I soured by chocolate cultures from different countries and continents! His egg is also an excellent example of artistry!
Bel’Oeuf Exposition-2026 lasts until the 8th of April and is not free to enter! One has to pay! Which is different from the previous years! Still and yet, I encourage everyone to come and pay a visit in order to enjoy the fantasy, the art and the craft of the Belgian chocolate heroes! Superheroes actually!
© photo Yelena van Kharitonova
Collectible design in Brussels in action
