Real Life Willy Wonka

Chocolate is everywhere in Belgium...good chocolate...very good chocolate. A group of us went to one of the chocolate factories the other day: Passsion Chocolate, arguably the best chocolate shop in Brussels. The factory is run by 4 Belgian French employees. The current owner bought the shop from the original owner and designer of all their chocolates. He was a charming white haired gentleman with incredible good humor and class. They make everything by hand on the premises and deliver it to their shop each day. The workers were very gracious and extremely patient. Our racous group of American ladies was begging to buy their garbage and eating everything in sight. We watched them mold the chocolates then ate some. We watched them pour the chocolates and then ate some. We watched them dip the chocolates and then ate some. We watched them make the florentines and then ate some. We MADE nut and fruit encrusted chocolate coins and then ate them all. We licked spoons, stole seconds, ate the garbage, and looked for more. One of the girls got chocolate all over herself and was escorted to the kitchen for a clean-up and an apron. Well, the aprons were so cute and everyone wanted one so the owner went into the storeroom and came out with their rejects which we oohed and aahed over and promptly put on dispite the holes and stains. I am now the proud owner of an authentic, well broken in, chocolate permiated, Passion Chocolate apron. I love it.

They were so glad to get us out of there.

The best part is that the store is three blocks from my house...and they have free samples.