Best chocolatiers in the world

It’s not surprising that some people have a bonafide addiction to chocolate. After all, top-quality dark chocolate, with a high proportion of cocoa solids, promotes the release of serotonin and dopamine – the so-called ‘love drug’ – as well as theobromine, which gives the kind of kick to the system associated with an espresso. Perhaps it’s these addictive qualities that are driving consumer demand for the luxury creations made by specialist chocolatiers.

According to Expert Market Research, the global chocolate market stood at a value of around $106.6 billion in 2021. The market expects it to continue growing and predicts that in the period of 2022-2027, it will attain a value of $147 billion.

Around the world, sales and profits are shooting up in the high-end chocolate segment as devotees dig ever deeper into their pockets for their chocolate fix. Or perhaps – more realistically – it’s improved food knowledge that is behind the demand. People wanting to know more about what they are eating and where it was sourced is a worldwide trend that also applies to chocolate.

Public awareness and knowledge about food has grown ever more sophisticated over the past 20 years. Food scares have fuelled a desire for information about produce sourcing and this fits fine chocolate production perfectly, with its stress on cocoa bean varieties and single-estate cocoa producers. From the importance of soil conditions to cocoa taste, what consumers want is handmade, high-quality chocs, preferably ethically sourced and fairly traded. As awareness of the plight of cocoa farmers and the quality of fair trade chocolate continues to increase, so too does the demand for producers to promote a socially responsible approach.

While chocolate consumption is still much lower in Asia and the Middle East than in Europe or North America, the market is growing steadily, as both the Chinese and the Middle Eastern markets develop a taste for cocoa. Chocolate appreciation classes are now commonplace in major Asian cities from Singapore to Shanghai, along with a rise in specialist chocolatiers in places such as Dubai and Riyadh.

In China, most chocolates are bought as presents or for ceremonial use, such as wedding candy, rather than for daily snacks. Chocolates are increasingly being offered as gifts during special occasions such as the Lunar New Year, for example, when visiting family or friends at home. Among young Chinese men and women, premium chocolates with elaborate fancy packaging, have also become a popular choice to give as presents during Western Valentine’s Day in February or Chinese Valentine’s Day, which usually occurs in August. 

It’s not hard to see what all the fuss is about. All-natural chocolate is rich, smooth and complex; the mass-produced variety – low in cocoa solids, bound with vegetable fat, sticky with glucose syrup – contains additives that make it waxy, gritty and super-sweet.

And if all that wasn’t good news enough for chocoholics, research has revealed that dark chocolate is also a superfood, with antioxidant properties that have been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke. Scientists led by Dr. Brian Buijsse, a nutritional epidemiologist at the German Institute of Human Nutrition, found that flavanols, substances in cocoa that boost the body’s supply of nitric oxide, can contribute to chocolate eaters’ lowered blood pressure. People who eat 7.5 grams a day – the equivalent of one small square – are less likely to suffer a stroke. Now that’s the kind of health advice that could be addictive. 

Wondering where to get a great chocolate fix? Consult our list of chocolatiers around the world for your next getaway!

Switzerland: Aeschbach Chocolatier, Läderach and Max Chocolatier

A premium chocolatier in Switzerland since 1972, Aeschbach Chocolatier uses fair-trade raw ingredients that are also sustainable. Not only will you find exquisite chocolate creations to savour, you can also go on a tour of the attached chocolate museum, ChocoWelt, where you can create your own chocolate bars. Läderach is another chocolate hotspot that’s known for its FrischSchoggi™ (Fresh Chocolate). The Swiss chocolatier also retails vegan chocolate, and we hear it’s plenty delicious! Max Chocolatier is also a hit with its selection of truffles, chocolate bars and Plättli

Singapore: Janice Wong & Laurent Bernard Chocolatier

Award-winning Singaporean pastry chef Janice Wong has learned from some of the world’s best chefs, including Thomas Keller, Grant Achatz, Spanish chocolatier Oriol Balaguer and pastry chef Pierre Hermé. Shop online for colourful, artisanal chocolate in Singapore or drop by her eponymous boutique at Orchard Road’s Paragon shopping mall, a quick taxi ride from Fraser Suites Singapore or within strolling distance from Fraser Residence Orchard, Singapore. Alternatively, swing by Laurent Bernard Chocolatier for chocolate gift boxes and a wide range of luxury chocolates that hit the spot.

Sydney: Haigh’s Chocolates and Koko Black

Residents and guests at Fraser Suites Sydney are spoilt for choice when it comes to satiating their chocolate cravings. In addition to the resident chef who whips up Valentine’s Day treats for guests, two of Australia’s finest chocolate purveyors have shops within a breezy stroll of the property. Haigh’s Chocolates has been making fine, artisanal chocolates since 1915 while Melbourne-based Koko Black has quickly developed a following with its enticing handcrafted chocolates. Both chocolatiers offer Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day collections, too.

Shanghai: Zotter Chocolate Theater

Located at the Shanghai International Fashion Center in Yanpu District, an easy taxi ride away from Fraser Suites Top Glory Shanghai as well as Fraser Residence Shanghai, Zotter Chocolate Theater is a unique concept. A smaller outpost of the Austrian original, this chocolatier combines chocolate production, a tasting tour, a chocolate shop and a Viennese-style cafe by Austrian “bean-to-bar” chocolate maker, Josef Zotter, known for his organic and fair trade principles.

Dubai: Boutique Le Chocolat

Styled on the Parisian Salon du Chocolat, this blinged-out boutique in Dubai’s swanky Citywalk – a short taxi ride away from Fraser Suites Dubai – brings an array of renowned international luxury chocolatiers together under one roof. There are over 28 brands at Boutique Le Chocolat, featuring more than 700 chocolate flavours from around the world, whether it’s chocolate artisans from France, Belgium, Japan, Switzerland or the USA. These include hand-crafted chocolate creations from Patrice Chapon (former Buckingham Palace chocolatier); deLafèe, known for gold-flecked chocolates and purveyors of some of the world’s most expensive chocolates; the Guittard Chocolate Factory from San Francisco; and designer chocolates from Roberto Cavalli.

Paris: La Maison du Chocolat, Chocolat Chapon & Patrick Roger

One of France’s most popular chocolatiers, La Maison du Chocolat, has a speciality shop offering a wide assortment of beautifully packaged chocolates and pastries, only a convenient five-minute walk from Fraser Suites Le Claridge Champs-Elysées, Paris; its online shop also offers free delivery via messenger within Paris city limits and within France with Colissimo.

Meantime, the aforementioned chocolatier Patrice Chapon, after working for the British royal family, returned to an award-winning career in his native land, producing single origin chocolate and exquisite bon bons; one of his Chocolat Chapon boutiques is only 12 minutes away from Fraser Suites Harmonie, Paris La Defense.

When seeking the most extraordinary chocolates, however, most Parisians will swear by the exquisite creations of award-winning chocolate sculptor and alchemist Patrick Roger; devoted to the serious chocolate connoisseur, his ultra-chic chocolate boutiques are in a handful of locations throughout Paris with the flagship at Place de la Madeleine.

Adapted from Fraser Cachet Issue #07 © Frasers Hospitality and Emphasis Media. Updated in December 2022.