Chocolate Maker and Owner, Belle Fleur Fine Chocolates.
Jan ter Heerdt is a third generation chocolate maker from Belgium. He and his wife Lynne established Belle Fleur Fine Chocolates in 1984 in Sydney. What started out as making fine chocolates from their kitchen at home turned into a factory and retail shop in Darling St Rozelle.
Before immersing himself in the family tradition of chocolate making, Jas was formally trained in Hotel Management in his native Belgium. After moving to Australia in 1974, his father came over on an annual holiday where Jan was a restaurateur, running Le Trianon in Potts Point for ten years. “At the time, I used to take small selections of the chocolates made with the help of my father for dinner guests to have with their coffee. The reaction was enthusiastic and I soon found myself following my father’s recipes and making chocolates full time.”
These days, Belle Fleur creates over 60 varieties of chocolates with popular fillings such as peach melba, fresh lime and cointreau, salted caramel and sesame, with ever changing new ideas.
Celebrating over 25 years in the business in Australia, in 2009 Belle Fleur moved production to a purpose built facility with a flagship store on Parramatta Rd in Petersham. With his wife and their two daughters working in the business, Jan’s family tradition is set to continue at Belle Fleur Fine Chocolates.
