A Halifax chocolate shop has recently won two prestigious international awards. ROUSSEAU Chocolatier, located in the city’s south end, was co-founded by Julien Rousseau and Nathalie Morin. Rousseau, a master chocolatier who trained in France and Scotland before making Halifax home, says the local flavours he incorporated into their chocolates helped the shop earn global recognition. Two of their creations won silver in the “ganache flavoured with alcohol, fruit, spices and/or inclusions” category at the Academy of Chocolate Awards in London. “We try to use as much local ingredients as possible,” said Rousseau. Only two Canadian chocolatiers were recognized with awards this year in what is a notoriously tough competition with hundreds of entries from around the world. “This academy, it’s very well renowned. It’s like winning an Oscar, but for us,” he said. The two award-winning chocolate creations are Summer Savory, which is made with fresh herbs, and the Nova Scotia Lavender, made with lavender from Seafoam Lavender Farms on the Northumberland Shore. “The winning creations are crafted by Master Chocolatier Julien Rousseau, whose nearly two decades of experience in France, Scotland, and Canada come together in flavours that reflect both classic technique and the character of Nova Scotia,” reads a news release from the chocolatier. The awards validate the long hours spent fine tuning every recipe so it’s just right. “Lavendar, it’s very difficult to work with because if you use too much it’s like eating a bar of soap,” said Rousseau. ROUSSEAU previously won two silver medals from the Academy of Chocolate in 2023. “Every chocolate we create begins with a story of place and people,” says co-founder Nathalie Rousseau. “To see our work celebrated on the international stage once again is something we hold with great gratitude. These honours belong to our entire community, from the producers we partner with to the customers who support us year after year.” With files from CTV Atlantic’s Jesse Thomas. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
