The 8 th time I visited Le Salon du Chocolat in Paris. To be honest: I love it and I hate it. Its too big and too crowded. But I have to go because every year I find some very special things that makes the trip worth it. First I check which chocolatiers won the awards from Le Club Des Croqueurs de Chocolat. I mostly agree with their opinion. Five of the twelve best were at Le Salon: Pascal Le Gac, Vincent Guerlais, Jean-Paul Hvin, Sadaharu Aoki and ES Koyama. The last one I had not heard of before so I bought some of his chocolates. Wow, this is good!

If you are interested in small artisan bean-to-bar chocolate makers you have to go to London. But for chocolates-bonbons I think Paris is the place to go. Although the fillings are very traditional, they are of superb quality. Of the small chocolate makers we met in London only Bojesen was at Le Salon. The curious chocolate lovers you could find at his stall: Chloe and Evert-Jan. The Brazilian booth had also some interesting bars that I didnt taste before. So full shopping bags and an empty wallet when I left Le Salon.

Tasting could begin!