François Pralus, Chocolatier: FRANCE
In 2000, Les Tropiques du Chocolat was from one of France's three remaining bean-to-bar chocolate makers, Francois Pralus, a true chocolate aficionado. He is able to discern the best beans, and the best characteristics of each type of bean. As one does with wine, he can talk about chocolate's vintage and origin characteristics - the powerful and heady nose, aromas of burnt butter and liquorice of the Venezuela Trinitario bean chocolate, and the fresh nose, and slightly minty and fruity flavor of the Madagascar Criollo bean chocolate. The hard work, ingenuity, and palate of François Pralus have been rewarded with the most prestigious National and International awards he won the Grand Prix d'Excellence International du Chocolat in both 1996 and 1997.