10 questions were asked about the trip to Pierre Marcolini, Belgian chocolatier.
From a very young age, this great chocolatier is passionate about this universe. In 1995, everything changed for the young pastry chef. That year, he became World Champion pastry in Lyon and starts her own business. And it is in the French capital that he decides to open his boutique eponymous, Pierre Marcolini.
Inspired by traditional methods of Maurice Bernachon, his mentor, Pierre Marcolini quickly distinguished himself from other chocolatiers by offering a selection of fine cacao from Brazil, Cuba, and Madagascar, among others.
Considered today one of the best chocolatiers in the world, thanks to his know-how and his passion for chocolate, Pierre Marcolini brings his creations to life by blending his grand cru chocolates with rare ingredients and exotic such as pink peppercorns from Morocco, pistachios’Iran, or even the lemon Sicily.
© Nicolas Buisson
JR : For you, traveling is synonymous with...?
Traveling for me is synonymous with’emotions.It is also inseparable from meetings, discoveries, but especially of’open-mindedness.
JR : What is the first item you put in your suitcase? Why?
I never leave without a chocolate bar. I can't do without it.
JR : When you travel in dreams, where do you go?
I am very fortunate to have a job that involves a lot of travel. So, when I dream When traveling, I often dream of my next destination. I like to research my upcoming destinations before I leave. This already nourishes my mind and my dreams. Beautiful images.
JR : Your worst travel memory?
A few years ago, I went to Madagascar. At the start of the trip, I fell in love with a beautiful Traditional pestle It's made of wood. I carefully kept it with me throughout my stay, but when I arrived at the airport to return, I had to argue at length with customs to convince them I wasn't smuggling artwork!
JR : A perfume that invites you to escape?
Without hesitation, the vetiver ! I love this smell of root, of earth… I’ve actually made my perfume.
JR : What is your next destination?
In a few days, I'm going to Cameroon in the very beautiful region of Haut Penja. I have the good fortune to work with beans from an old plantation that are just beautiful. I try to travel as often as possible to see the planters with whom we work to talk with them, but also to show them and let them taste what we do with their beans.
JR : What is your favorite hotel? For what reasons?
A hotel remains above all a place where I spend very little time. If there's good bedding, a large shower, and good wifi, I'm happy... If I have to be a little less pragmatic, I've had the chance to stay in a magical place at Kenya. We were sleeping in a large try in the middle of a nature park. It was 5 a.m., and I couldn't sleep. My friend and I were drinking coffee under the awning, admiring the scenery, until some monkeys came and stole all our cookies. It was a moment magical.
JR : What do you do to pass the time on a plane?
I am creating my collections I love airports and planes because, for a reason I can't explain, they allow me to completely disconnect. I come up for air and a multitude of ideas flood my mind. So I take a lot of notes and do a lot of sketch.
JR : What is your best travel memory from when you were a child?
I have a memory of holidays in Switzerland with a slice of bread fresh and a big piece of chocolate…
JR : You feel at home when you are...?
I don't need much! As soon as I'm surrounded by’friends, I feel at home!
Thanks to Pierre for answering our questions!
To go further Son site and his Facebook page
