Dominique Persoone

Dominique Persoone, the radical chocolatier of Bruges' The Chocolate Line, has been pushing the boundaries of bean-to-bar craftsmanship since 1968, earning a reputation for his audacious flavor pairings and unhinged inventions like the chocolate shooter he designed to snort cocoa at a Rolling Stones party. While his wild side keeps the world entertained, it's his relentless obsession with single-origin beans that truly sets him apart—like a Flemish alchemist, he transforms cacao into gold, one daring experiment at a time. If you're in Belgium, a pilgrimage to his shop is a must for anyone who thinks they know chocolate; if not, you're missing out on one of the most inventive minds in the game.