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Marasu’s Petit Fours, founded in 1986, has been London’s largest producer of premium chocolates with an annual production of more than 300 tonnes
A luxury UK chocolate maker has entered administration after 40 years in business.
Marasu’s Petit Fours was founded in 1986 by patissiers Rolf Kern and Gabi Kohler, who wanted to make premium chocolates for elite establishments. It was acquired by the Prestat Group in 2006 and has since supplied Prestat, Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges, and Harrods.
It was London’s largest producer of premium chocolates with an annual production of more than 300 tonnes from its 25,000 sq ft facilities in Park Royal but it has faced difficult market conditions recently.
Marasu’s appointed administrators on February 6, and the specific reason for its collapse is not yet known, with Alessandro Sidoli and Jessica Barker of Xeinadin Corporate Recovery Limited named as joint administrators.
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It follows Prestat also going into administration with a deal set to see it sold to L’Artisan du Chocolat, which is owned by Polus Capital Management. This agreement was arranged before administrators were formally appointed and means Prestat is expected to continue as an online-only brand.
The luxury chocolatier, founded in 1902, shut its historic Piccadilly shop in central London last week, following mounting financial pressure from poor sales and soaring cocoa prices, reported the Express.
In recent years, the chocolate industry has struggled with global cocoa prices surging to record highs in 2024 and cocoa crops being hit by disease and extreme weather, including flooding and droughts, in key producing countries such as Ghana and the Ivory Coast, which together account for about 60% of the world’s production.
The company also reportedly faced difficulties after attempting to expand its market using premium cocoa varieties such as Criollo, leaving it vulnerable to cheaper competitors.
The closure comes as part of a prepack administration deal that will see Prestat taken over by chocolate maker L’Artisan du Chocolat, which is owned by Polus Capital Management.
Prestat held two Royal Warrants and counted the Royal Family, including Princess Diana, among some of its most famous customers. In 2003, The Economist magazine even named it as one of the top three chocolate shops in the world.
The Piccadilly shop inspired Roald Dahl, who referenced Prestat’s truffles in his novel My Uncle Oswald. The store, which was one of the few to continue making its own chocolates, is also said to have inspired the fantastical sweet shop in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
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