🎬✨ Elisabetta, our chocolate maker, joined the adventure of the second season of “Les Étoiles du Chocolat Belge” on RTBF, with Adrien Devyver at the helm. For young chocolatiers like Elisabetta, it’s not only a moment of sharing and connecting, but also a truly enriching experience to measure herself against fellow professionals.

Out of so many talented chocolatiers, only 15 were chosen to shine in this new edition. They faced off with spectacular chocolate creations for an extraordinary prize: a trip to Japan for the World Expo in Osaka 2025. 🇯🇵🍫

The 15 chocolatiers, divided into three teams, are ready to face the challenge. Their mission: to recreate, in a stunning trompe-l’œil, the favorite dish of David Jeanmotte, Livia Dushkoff, and Joëlle Scoriels, who will be by their side throughout the competition.

The first episode kicks off with dazzling chocolate sculptures and delicate pralines. Elisabetta, however, had her own idea of fun. She didn’t really bother with the sculpture, that wasn’t her thing. Instead, she put all her heart into the pralines, because that’s what she truly loves to create.

The truth is, she had no idea what to expect. The casting was all over the place with bakers, pastry chefs, confectioners, even bean to bar chocolatiers! How on earth was the jury supposed to compare all that? It felt a bit like mixing croissants, caramels and cacao nibs into the same basket.

She presented a decadent praline she named “bleu de toi”. In Belgium, it’s a sweet way of saying you’ve fallen head over heels in love. And apparently, the jury, Pierre Marcolini, Jean-Philippe Darcis and Victoire Finaz, did just that, because they absolutely loved her creation!

With the golden ticket in her pocket, Elisabetta made a bold choice: she joined the blue team, mentored by none other than Victoire Finaz. The team was completed by three other strong personalities, Tom, Steve, and Virginia, each bringing their own style, skills, and ambitions to the competition. Right from the start, the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement, curiosity, and just a pinch of rivalry.

For their very first challenge, the contestants were thrown into the deep end with something both hilarious and technically demanding: creating a trompe-l’œil of a pot of moules-frites, Belgium’s ultimate comfort dish. Imagine it, mussels, fries, and even the steaming casserole, but made entirely out of chocolate! The judges wanted to see creativity, precision, and above all, the magic of illusion.

Elisabetta was paired with Virginia for this test. And while they were both talented, it quickly became clear that this duo was in for quite the rollercoaster. Transforming such a savory, iconic plate into a sweet chocolate fantasy wasn’t going to be smooth sailing. Different ideas, different techniques, and the pressure of time meant sparks were bound to fly. But one thing was certain: their creation would not go unnoticed.

Episode 2 raises the stakes with a challenge as daring as it is delicious. The contestants are asked to revisit, in chocolate, the signature lobster dish of Michelin-starred chef Manon Schenck.

Not only must they capture the essence of this refined creation, but they also need to translate it into two ambitious formats: a delicate, perfectly balanced chocolate bonbon and an awe-inspiring chocolate showpiece.

Precision, creativity, and technical mastery will all be put to the test. Will the chocolatiers manage to honor the spirit of Manon Schenck’s dish while dazzling the jury with their artistry?

In Durbuy, the smallest city in the world, the nine contestants met Michelin-starred chef Manon Schenck, named Lady Chef of the Year 2023. Their challenge: taste her signature dish and craft a praline to match. A test of finesse, precision… and daring.

After the mussels-and-fries challenge, Virginia was eliminated, leaving the blue team with only three contestants. Elisabetta felt the loss deeply, not only had she lost her partner in crime, but she also began to feel somewhat left out by the two remaining boys.

The next test was no less daunting: after tasting and analyzing a refined lobster dish, the team had to reinterpret it in chocolate, both as a delicate praline and as a spectacular showpiece. Creativity, precision, and bold imagination were the keys to impressing Chef Manon Schenck, who would judge the results blindly. Meanwhile, the ever-charismatic David Jeanmotte carried the heavy responsibility of presenting each team’s creation to the jury.

At stake: a direct qualification for the next round. But despite their efforts, the blue team did not manage to claim victory this time... In the end, it was the yellow team, led by Pierre Marcolini, that stole the spotlight and their ticket straight to the semi-finals.

Things were already looking shaky for the blue team, but for Elisabetta nothing was lost yet. The team faced one last chance in a decisive redemption round: creating a bonsai tree entirely out of chocolate. With only a few hours on the clock, they had to produce a masterpiece worthy of this prestigious symbol of patience and perfection. At the end of the challenge, only two teams would remain to fight for a place in the final. And…

Episode 2 turned up the heat. Nine contestants entered the kitchen, facing sky-high challenges under the watchful eyes of the jury: Pierre Marcolini, Jean-Philippe Darcis, and Victoire Finaz. But in the end, not everyone could survive the pressure. Only six secured their golden ticket to the semi-final. Three saw their dreams cut short. And in a shocking twist, Chef Victoire Finaz herself had to leave the adventure. A night of suspense, heartbreak… and unforgettable emotion. The bonsai test marked the end of Elisabetta’s journey. She left the competition with her head held high, proud to have given her very best right to the last moment.