Since September 1, 2026, our artisan chocolate factory in Schaerbeek has a new name: Maison Pliester – Chocolatier. We look back at 40 years of Brussels history and the reasons behind this change.
A Brussels chocolate factory since 1986
Our story begins in 1986, when Chocolaterie Duval opened its doors in Ixelles. Quickly outgrowing its space, the workshop moved to Rue des Chardons in Schaerbeek — far from the Grand-Place storefronts, in an authentic Brussels neighborhood where chocolate is made by hand, without frills.
It was here, in this workshop in the commune of Schaerbeek, that the foundations of what would become our specialty were laid: personalized chocolate. In the 90s, Marc Lauwers took over the business and developed the first guided tours and chocolate workshops, opening the doors of chocolate making to the curious and enthusiasts.
2011: Maxime Pliester takes over the chocolate factory
In 2011, Maxime Pliester took over this artisan chocolate factory, which already had 25 years of history. The company became Concept Chocolate.
For 15 years, under this name, the chocolate factory underwent a profound transformation. Chocolate workshops multiplied — discovery workshops, beer and chocolate pairing tastings, wine and chocolate pairing, team-building events, guided tours for tourist and school groups. The shop, which had previously been closed to the neighborhood, opened its doors to residents of Schaerbeek and visitors to Brussels.
Personalized chocolate for businesses developed considerably: chocolate logo molding, custom business gift boxes, creations for hotels, events, and weddings. Hundreds of Belgian and international companies trusted this Brussels workshop for their chocolate projects.
In 2021, Maxime and his partner Valérie opened Glacerie Jalou 50 meters from the chocolate factory, expanding the neighborhood's gourmet offerings.
Why change the name?
After 15 years at the head of this chocolate factory, after building a team of ten artisans, welcoming more than 18,000 visitors per year from thirty nationalities, and selling more than 15 tons of chocolate annually, one thing became clear.
We no longer felt like a "concept." We felt like a home. Our home. Where we create, where we welcome, where we pass on knowledge. So we did the simplest thing: we put our name on it.
Maison Pliester – Chocolatier. A more personal, more authentic name, truer to who we are today: an artisan Brussels house driven by a passionate team and know-how passed down for almost 40 years.
What changes — and what doesn't
What changes:
Our name becomes Maison Pliester – Chocolatier. Our visual identity and packaging are evolving. Our website becomes maisonpliester.be.
What doesn't change:
Our address remains the same: Rue des Chardons 19, 1030 Schaerbeek. Our team of ten artisan chocolatiers continues to make chocolate by hand every day in the same workshop. Our workshops, guided tours, and tastings continue to welcome visitors year-round. Our personalized chocolate service for businesses remains our specialty. And the smell of chocolate when you walk through the door remains "almost" the same.
A recognized artisan chocolate factory in Brussels
This name change comes in a context of growing recognition for our work as artisan chocolatiers in Brussels:
We have been certified Artisan by the FPS Economy since 2020, confirming that our entire production is handmade in our Schaerbeek workshop.
We have been featured in the Gault&Millau selection of the best chocolatiers in Belgium since 2022.
We are members of "I Love Belgian Chocolate," the label that celebrates Belgian chocolate recognized as intangible heritage.
We carry the Green Key label, a guarantee of our environmental commitment, particularly important for our tourism activity.
And since 2026, we have been labeled ShiftingPact, demonstrating our commitment to corporate sustainability.
Our expertise: quality chocolate, revealed by craftsmanship
At Maison Pliester, we don't make our chocolate from scratch. We collaborate with partner chocolate manufacturers on carefully selected cocoa origins, then we reveal these chocolates through our artisanal expertise: pralines, truffles, filled bars, fingers, dragées, spreads, hollow figures, and much more.
Each creation is the result of teamwork led by Fikry, our workshop manager, and his artisans. Everything is handmade, with gloves, in our Schaerbeek workshop.
Our experiences: much more than a chocolate shop in Brussels
Maison Pliester is also a place of experience. We offer guided tours of our workshop, interactive chocolate workshops, beer and chocolate or wine and chocolate tasting sessions, and activities for businesses, tourist groups, school groups, families, and team-building events.
More than 18,000 visitors per year, from some thirty nationalities, come through our doors to discover behind the scenes of Belgian artisan chocolate making.
Personalized chocolate: our specialty since 1986
Since Chocolaterie Duval, chocolate personalization has been in our DNA. Your logo, your product, your idea — we transform it into chocolate by molding, sculpting, or transfer.
Each year, we support hundreds of companies, hotels, associations, and event organizers in creating custom chocolate gifts. Business gift boxes, end-of-year gifts, hotel welcome packs, wedding favors — everything is produced in our Schaerbeek workshop.
Three names, one story
Chocolaterie Duval, Concept Chocolate, Maison Pliester: three names for the same passion, the same place, and the same commitment — to make quality artisan chocolate in Brussels, with our hands and with our hearts.
Welcome to Maison Pliester – Chocolatier.
Maison Pliester – Chocolatier Rue des Chardons 19, 1030 Schaerbeek, Brussels +32 2 242 94 66 hello@maisonpliester.be maisonpliester.be
Artisan chocolatier in Brussels – Schaerbeek | Personalized chocolate for businesses | Workshops and guided tours | Beer and chocolate tastings | Gault&Millau recognized | Certified Artisan
