Old Dutch Guys Chocolate crafting edible works of art in Kingsville
These intricately detailed chocolate objects have received attention from Margaret Atwood
In a world where food is conceived by chefs and food scientists with Instagram in mind, hearing the refrain that something is "too pretty to eat" is common.
As a food journalist, it's not something I usually feel.
But I had a genuine flash of remorse as I took a bite of a chocolate bird from Old Dutch Guys Chocolate in Kingsville. Don't get me wrong, the Belgian chocolate delicious, but destroying a work of art — with my teeth, no less — was guilt inducing.
"It happens quite often," explained Henry Noestheden, a sculptor and designer who owns the shop with his friend, Cor Boon. "It's a legitimate savage moment, but it's very functional. You don't want to save it and put it the curio (cabinet) or hang it on the wall."
Old Dutch Guys Chocolate opened four months ago in the heart of Kingsville, at the corner of Division and Main Streets.
They specialize in producing beautiful chocolate objects based on the wood creations of Boon, an award-winning carver.
The pair met six years ago at a dinner party in Windsor.
The men quickly bonded over the fact they both moved to Canada from the Netherlands at a young age and quickly became fast friends and business partners.
Initially, the two worked on a toy project, but when that didn't pan out, their attention turned to chocolate. After two years of development, Old Dutch Guys Chocolate was born.
In addition to a strong local following, Boon and Noestheden have had customers visit from as far as Toronto, Northern Ontario and Michigan. A few days after opening, even Margaret Atwood — who spends time on nearby Pelee Island — mentioned the fledging business in a tweet.
Just got given a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/chocolate?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#chocolate</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bird?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bird</a> made by Old Dutch Guys in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kingsville?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kingsville</a>:<a href="https://t.co/zmOMltpbsO">https://t.co/zmOMltpbsO</a> !
—@MargaretAtwoodTap on the video to see how these beautiful chocolates are produced.
Old Dutch Guys Chocolate is located at 2 Main St. W. in Kingsville.
Jonathan Pinto is CBC Windsor's food reporter. Hear his latest tasty story every other Monday at 4:45 p.m. on CBC Radio's Afternoon Drive with Chris dela Torre, and on CBC Television's CBC News Windsor with Arms Bumanlag.
Inside Old Dutch Guys Chocolate
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