In the jet set resort of Knokke (West Flanders) chocolatier Oliver Van Nueten, aged 27, has unveiled his latest creation, ‘Oli’s Beach Bar’. Van Nueten drew inspiration for the beach bar from the beach in Knokke. “My design is mainly based on the Lichttoren Beach Club.”
This is not Van Nueten’s first attempt at something unique. Earlier he created replicas of Knokke-Heist Town Hall and the crown of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. The chocolatier spares no expense or effort to impress with his creations.
A showcase for the municipality
The idea this time to go for a beach bar stems from his pride in his hometown. “Beach bars always capture the imagination. I think the beach bars are a showcase for our town.”
Unlike other showcases, the miniature version is not intended to be placed outdoors. The beach bar would quickly melt in the summer sun.
A month’s work
The beach bar is now on display in the window of Van Nueten’s shop on the Lippenslaan. Passers-by with an eye for detail will notice that the chocolatier has put a great deal of work into his creation. A seagull is perched on a parasol, there are bottles of champagne, and you can even spot a beached seal. On top of the beach bar itself is the name ‘Oli’s Beach Bar’.
“Everything is perfectly edible. And I use as few colourings as possible,” he says. “Only the sand isn’t made of chocolate, but of sugar.”
Nothing is too crazy
Oliver wasn’t setting out to win over new customers with his creation, but the publicity is a nice bonus. “I can make anything to order. There’s even a chocolate revolver in my shop window: Once I had to make one for a police officer who was retiring. Harry Potter wands also fly off the shelves.”