Artisanal chocolatier in Brussels since 1986, Maison Pliester holds the recognized Artisan label, awarded by the Ministry of Economy. Obtained during the Covid period, this label expires in 2026: time to renew it for the next five years!
The recognized Artisan label, obtained... thanks to Covid
Some tasks are always put off because there is no time. At Maison Pliester, an artisanal chocolate shop located in Schaerbeek, Brussels, it was the lockdown that changed everything.
While the usual pace of the workshop had come to a halt, we finally took the time to put together our application in order to obtain the recognized Artisan label, an official recognition issued by the Belgian Ministry of Economy.
Valid for five years, this label naturally expires in 2026. So it is time to renew it!
An imperfect label, but a real one
Let’s be honest: no "Belgian" label is perfect, and this one is no exception. But in a country where reaching administrative consensus is sometimes a national sport, having a clear, official, and verifiable recognized Artisan label is already much better than nothing.
It provides tangible recognition of genuine manual craftsmanship, and not just a sticker placed on a storefront.
A small detail that sums up the Belgian spirit well: this label does not have one logo, but four! With three national languages, it exists in French, Dutch, and German. And as that clearly was not enough for everyone to find their way around, an English version was also added for good measure.
There you have Belgium in one image!
What the recognized Artisan label guarantees our customers
For Maison Pliester's customers in Brussels, as well as for the groups, tour operators, and B2B partners who have trusted us for many years, this label is a concrete guarantee: our chocolates are imagined, processed, and checked on-site by a team that masters every step of the craft.
We do not make "bean-to-bar" chocolate. Our artisanal expertise is based on using carefully selected Belgian chocolate couverture, in the pure tradition of Brussels chocolate making.
This know-how also extends to the creation of custom molds and in-house designed packaging. A signature of Maison Pliester that goes far beyond simply making chocolate.
Why renew this label in 2026?
The renewal of the recognized Artisan label in 2026 is part of the continuity of our commitment to quality, alongside other recognitions such as Gault&Millau, Green Key, and ShiftingPact.
This time, it is no longer the time freed up by a lockdown that motivates our approach, but a clear desire: to ensure the continued official recognition of our workshop, despite the possible uncertainties of the Belgian administration.
Artisanal chocolatier, Belgian chocolate, and recognized know-how in Brussels: that is what this label confirms, in black and white, for the next five years.
