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How I met Mark Schimmel from Krak Chocolade

This was the day that changed my approach to chocolate.


Mark Schimmel (Krak Chocolade) and me (Margarita Zamoshchina) (Carambole Chocolate) sitting in front of Mark's factory in Ermelo, Netherlands.
Mark Schimmel (Krak Chocolade) and me (Margarita Zamoshchina) (Carambole Chocolate) sitting in front of Mark's factory in Ermelo, Netherlands.

Eight years ago, I took part in a craft chocolate festival at Tropenmuseum Amsterdam with my chocolate bonbons. There, I was introduced to the chocolate maker Mark Schimmel, the founder of Krak Chocolade. His chocolate was different—strange in a good way, complex, and bold. It was something you had to sit with, savor, and truly experience.


As a small-scale chocolatier, I was working late nights using some common chocolate brands. Could I have imagined that chocolate like Krak would pivot my whole career in such a creative direction?


In fact, my entire philosophy was challenged by it. Mark's chocolate is vibrant, rebellious, and wilful—just like him! It contains pure flavors from around the world, each with a strong personality. Back then, I couldn't have fathomed reaching a level where I'd tame such a temperamental material.

Mark Schimmel with his award the Golden Bean 2021 and me (Margarita Zamoshchina) with my award The Golden Bonbon 2021, the highest awards of the Academy of Chocolate.
Mark Schimmel with his award the Golden Bean 2021 and me (Margarita Zamoshchina) with my award The Golden Bonbon 2021, the highest awards of the Academy of Chocolate.

But then I moved to Amersfoort, and Mark’s factory suddenly was just a 20-minute drive away. Over the past few years, we’ve met regularly for tastings, sharpening our professional skills and deepening our friendship. In 2021, each of us won an Oscar of the chocolate world from the Academy of Chocolate in London—Mark received the Golden Bean Award for his Sierra Nevada Milk Chocolate, and I received the Golden Bonbon for my DZE bonbon.


Our numerous collaborations blend the highest quality, creativity, and a touch of avant-garde. We are proud to represent the thoughtful, intriguing, and skilful journey from Bean to Bonbon—showing how each step of the process truly matters.



Spoiler alert—expect Advent calendars this year with a special surprise from Krak! (exclusively for our calendars) 🎉




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