Jean-Philippe Darcis named “Chocolatier of the Year 2026” by Gault&Millau

For the tenth consecutive year, Gault&Millau has announced its selection of the best chocolatiers in Belgium. One chocolatier per region receives the award from the famous culinary guide. For Wallonia, it is Jean-Philippe Darcis who has been honored, while the “Discovery of the Year” award also goes to a Walloon chocolatier.

As with every edition, the digital Gault&Millau Chocolatiers guide offers a non-exhaustive selection of the best addresses, established on the basis of several blind tastings. The Gault&Millau team proceeded in the same way as for its restaurant guide: with complete independence, free from any commercial or other interests. The tasters evaluated each product according to its visual and gustatory qualities.

No fewer than 143 chocolatiers in Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg were selected this year. Together, these chocolatiers represent more than 216 shops. Indeed, the offering of chocolatiers continues to grow, both in quantity and in quality—an encouraging and promising sign for the sector, for consumers, and for the guide’s editorial team.

Among the new Walloon chocolatiers featured in the guide for the first time are: Will’M Chocolaterie in Waterloo, Maison Saive in Heusy (Verviers), Origins Chocolate in Bassenge, Renaud Austen in Spa, and La Chocolaterie du Château de Leignon in Ciney.

More and more chocolatiers are showing interest in single-origin chocolate, whose taste profile is strongly influenced by the terroir where cocoa beans grow and ferment. These nuances, deeply tied to the land, make chocolate a unique and diverse product, offering chocolatiers an ideal canvas to express themselves and delight their customers.

The award for “Chocolatier of the Year 2026 for Wallonia” went to Jean-Philippe Darcis. “He is recognized for a body of work patiently built over nearly thirty years, driven by passion, rigor, and an ever-curious spirit. A pioneer of the bean-to-bar movement in Belgium, he stands out for his subtle mastery of flavors and textures, supported by beans sourced from organic and fair-trade plantations. As an ambassador of Belgian Chocolate, Jean-Philippe Darcis is not only a creator of flavors: he is also a teacher and a guide. In Verviers, his beloved hometown, he founded a chocolate museum, an academy, and a beautiful tasting salon. His approach combines tradition and innovation, artisanal excellence and openness to the world. An inspiring model, fully deserving of our recognition,” notes Gault&Millau.

Another award, “Discovery of the Year 2026 for Belgium”, went to La Chocolaterie du Château de Leignon in Ciney, Wallonia. “Raphaël Vanda and Jérôme Deborne first met at school in 2004, but it was only in 2018 that they trained together in chocolate-making at the Roger Lambion Institute. After honing his skills in Sweden, Guadeloupe, and Brussels, Raphaël refined his expertise, while Jérôme rooted himself in Brussels craftsmanship. Together, they opened La Chocolaterie du Château de Leignon, nestled in the former farmhouse of this enchanting estate. In this inspiring space, each praline is handmade, following an artisanal, sustainable, and local approach. Authentic, sincere, and generous, their chocolaterie is fully deserving of this first recognition,” reports Gault&Millau.

Chocolate lover? You now have several addresses to discover—or rediscover—in Wallonia over the coming weeks.

Isabelle Anneet (AWEX)