Interview by Ludo Coenen
Chocolate in Maasmechelen?
Then you have to go to Bart Janssen, a passionate chocolatier. "I literally grew up with chocolate," he laughs, while the photographer captures him and his wife Marieke, busy in their workshop. "My father was a baker in Kotem, and his hobby was making chocolate treats. As a teenager, he once made a four-meter-high chocolate Easter egg, which even made the front page of the newspapers. I couldn’t pull off such a stunt today, I simply don’t have the time."
Bart was destined to become a chocolatier. He has now been in the business for twenty years. "I learned the trade at the bakery school in Antwerp. Not to take over my father’s bakery, I never wanted that. Not even for a baker’s diploma, but to become a chocolatier. That’s what I’ve wanted since childhood. I knew nothing else. I grew up surrounded by chocolate. And it’s still the original Belgian chocolate, from Callebaut. My father used it as well. Except for the Koetjesreep, I’ve never tasted any other chocolate. For me, it’s the best.
"In his shop, it is, of course, filled with pralines. “The most delicious praline? Undoubtedly the praline with freshly roasted nuts, it's delicious. Pralines are popular all year round. That’s why people come. Especially pralines with a fruit filling like strawberry, banana, or raspberry are trending right now. In addition, we naturally showcase seasonal products. We follow the holidays such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter, but also special moments like the end of the school year. We also notice that people like to have something unique, something just for them. A topseller is chocolate with a custom photo printed on it. We print them on the chocolate using edible food coloring.”
If you want something exclusive from B-art Chocolates, you should definitely ask for the chocolate pumps. That’s what makes Bart stand out in the world of chocolatiers. “Two years ago, I started molding these high-heeled shoes, and it became a huge success, even attracting interest from abroad.
A Maasmechelen praline has not yet come to life. “Unfortunately not. I find it a pity. There was once talk of a typical Maasmechelen praline, but the plan never became concrete. You know, I would love to do something with it, but it’s not possible without an external partner to promote and commercialize the praline. Because I don’t have the time for that. It’s definitely an opportunity with potential. There are so many places in Maasmechelen that could serve as inspiration.”
Bart’s favorite spot? “There are two… Taking a Sunday afternoon walk with my family at Terhills. And as I mentioned, I grew up in Kotem, so the village and the Maas River appeal to me, if only for the childhood memories. And a Maas praline? Absolutely, that should be possible,” Bart chuckles.