Brussels based incredibly famous chocolatier, Pierre Marcolini launched his extravagant new store at the Mall of the Emirates, showcasing Marcolini’s gourmet handmade artisan creations and offering an extraordinary assortment of chocolates and delectable treats. Melanie Gordon chats with him to find out more…
He is a soldier with pioneering expertise waging a battle for the art of the chocolatier. The growth of his independent business, which is now worldwide, has created unique flavours with the highest and lightest of touches. In addition to multi drawer gift boxes designed exclusively for the region, dates, macarones, pralines, tablets and signature chocolate hearts, the store has a large bar of wide selection of desserts, chocolates and pastries to choose from, and an ice cream and hot chocolate corner. The store has a unique architecture with warm bronze and purple colors.
From Brussels to Dubai is quite a big jump. How did you feel taking on a pretty different type of client?
We started in Brussels and now in London and China four years ago. The story of chocolate has a worldwide appeal. There is something about high-quality chocolate that explains the differences in various chocolates and the price; it is on the inside that is all the different tastes, and the mix makes all the difference. In England or China, it is about fusion, the passion. It is the same chocolate philosophy all over the world. People love chocolate, but they do not know why.
Every day you are creating something beautiful every day, which makes people happy how does that make you feel when you are going to work?
It is all about the emotion and the chocolate experience for all people all over the world. I want them to be happy and have an emotional response.
How is the couverture process (where the cocoa butter is added) done in Dubai or Brussels?
It is done in Brussels and flown over to Dubai. It’s all about the freshness. We specialise in single-origin beans, the whole of the bean is used, and nothing is wasted. We even use part of the bean to make the tea you are drinking now. This was the idea in the beginning. We are creating chocolate that is extraordinary and not like any other chocolates.
If you were going to have a present of chocolates, the beautiful presentation of the Channel like boxes is divine.
This is what we wanted, to create the box so that it can be reusable for whatever you wish, so it ties in with our philosophy of sustainability.
With the launching of the “Expo 2020 Dubai”, visitors will have the chance to visit Pierre Marcolini’s booth, which will offer chocolate lovers the most mouthwatering, delicious, and luxurious chocolate innovations.
Known for his impressive consideration in picking the best cocoa beans that brings that unique texture of chocolate from the best sources in Belgium, and his involvement in every stage of chocolate production ethically sourced using his greatest recipe ingredients, is what distinguishes Pierre Marcolini and the quality of the cocao used is what makes the brand stand apart from others.
He likes to go back to the traditional and artisanal way of doing things. The produce is handmade from natural products only, without the use of preservatives or palm oil. The cacao is roasted in-house with a unique technique mastered to perfection by the Chef. Also, the sugar content is very low and is only used to sublime the flavors of cacao and bring to live all the senses of this delicate bean as Marcolini emphasises on transforming cacao into chocolates.
Marcolini is popular for his master abilities and passion for making the best chocolate in the world. He is considered an expert in delightful food and desserts. Marcolini has taken part in numerous pastry contests and was awarded prize for ‘Best Pastry Chef in the World’ on the virtual stage of the ‘World Pastry Stars 2020’ and won the honor for the best culinary expert in the world, as well as being a judge for a reality TV show in gastronomy, making him a reference point in the pastry and chocolate world. He aces making chocolates of his own brand to offer his clients the finest of his creations, making the one-of-a-kind flavor of his chocolates an extraordinary taste and the talk of the town.