Nadine Delamillieure on her passion for cheese and chocolate

I was born and bred in Belgium: chocolate, waffles, fine cheese, moules frites – and later good wine and Belgian beer – were all part of the fabric of my upbringing.

Growing up amongst chocolatiers, I remember marvelling at the display of chocolate creations in shop windows, and going on the charm offence trying to secure some of those edible art works.

There was always chocolate to be found in our house, and we developed a real talent for tracking down the hidden stash of delicacies. Nothing could beat pure chocolate and a glass of cold milk.

My childhood was not just about chocolate though. My mother was a true foodie and an excellent chef. Using only the best ingredients available she would produce some truly marvellous dishes. We would always be discussing new recipes or exciting new ingredients, and I spent many a childhood hour cooking up something marvellous with my mum.

Family get-togethers were always about enjoying excellent food, accompanied by storytelling and a lot of laughter. My mum’s love for producing quality meals definitely rubbed off on me big time. When I moved to the UK in 1992, I brought a lot of cooking utensils, pots and recipe books with me, to the great bemusement of my English husband.

Our Oxford home is frequently filled with dinner guests. In the fine tradition of Belgium, I often make a cheeseboard for family get-togethers; our cheese and wine (or beer) evenings are very popular with our friends. Family and friends also always ask me to bring back certain cheeses and chocolates from my trips to Belgium – they all have their favourites!

Sadly, my mum passed away in 2013. I decided to follow my passion and my dream, and soon afterwards I set up Georgette’s Deli, named in her honour, selling fine cheeses and handmade Belgian chocolates online.

We work with two well-established Belgian chocolatiers, whom I have known for a long time. Our luxury chocolates are made with 100% cocoa butter, using traditional methods. We also sell unique personal chocolate favours for births, weddings, anniversaries and other special events...another Belgian tradition.

The fine cheeses we sell as part of our cheese club or gourmet cheeseboard are a combination of true classics (such as Brillat Savarin, Époisses Berthaut, Fourme d’Ambert) and artisan cheeses from family-owned companies.

Following on from our successful tea and chocolate tasting event in October in Little Clarendon Street, when each chocolate was made to match the accompanying tea it was served with, we are organising a festive cocktail and chocolate tasting event on December 7.

The event will again take place in Hatch Oxford (Little Clarendon Street), from 7pm-8.45pm with a welcome cocktail and nibbles upon arrival, followed by a cocktail mixing tutorial and then a cocktail and chocolate sampling session. Book at www.georgettesdeli.com or call 07827 574 263.