Charbonnel et Walker Ltd
IndustryConfectionery
Founded1875 (1875) in London, United Kingdom
Headquarters
London
,
United Kingdom
ProductsChocolate
WebsiteCharbonnel et Walker

Charbonnel et Walker Chocolatier is a British firm of chocolate makers based in Bond Street, London.

History

Encouraged by Albert, Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, in 1875 Mme Virginie Eugenie Lévy, née Charbonnel, of Maison Boissier chocolate house in Paris, and Mrs Minnie Walker began a partnership in London as "Parisian Confectioners and Bon-Bon Manufacturers".[1] The partnership of Charbonnel and [sic] Walker was dissolved on 16 April 1878 and Mrs Walker carried on alone until her death on 8 June 1883.[2][3] The notice of death published in the London Gazette referred to "Mary Ann Alphandery also known as Minnie Walker".[3] The company of Charbonnel and Walker Limited went into liquidation in June 1894.[4] The connection with the royal family continues to the present day, as Charbonnel et Walker hold a Royal Warrant as Chocolate Manufacturers to the Queen.

The new firm of Charbonnel et Walker is now based in the Royal Arcade in Bond Street, not far from the original premises, and manufactured its chocolates at its factory in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, until 2018 when it relocated their production to Poundbury, Dorset.[5]

The company claims a number of notable figures from history to have been customers, such as Noël Coward (who is said to have requested a fortnightly delivery box of their finest selections to his home), Wallis Simpson, Sir John Gielgud, Sir Alec Guinness, Lauren Bacall, Princess Diana and Princess Margaret. Prince Francis of Teck, the younger brother of the British queen Mary of Teck, bequeathed the Teck Emeralds to his mistress "after courting her with Charbonnel et Walker chocolates."[6]

Confectioneries

Charbonnel et Walker offers a wide variety of chocolates, as well as sugar confections like crystalized ginger and glazed brazil nuts. A speciality is the Marc de Champagne Chocolate Truffles: these are chocolate truffles with chocolate butter infused with Marc de Champagne.

The company also produces a themed "James Bond – 007" range, inspired by the James Bond film franchise, including 007 Dry Martini Truffles.[7] Their hot drinking chocolate was created by Madame Charbonnel in 1875; it is available in Original and Sea Salt Caramel flavours.[8]

Branches

As of 2022, there are four Charbonnel et Walker shops in the UK, as well as two outlets in department stores:[9]

References

  1. ↑ "About us". Archived from the original on 24 January 2010. Retrieved 9 February 2010. Charbonnel et Walker History
  2. ↑ "No. 24602". The London Gazette. 5 July 1878. p. 3989.
  3. 1 2 "No. 25255". The London Gazette. 31 July 1883. p. 3842.
  4. ↑ "No. 26527". The London Gazette. 29 June 1894. p. 3752.
  5. ↑ Bell, Guy (13 February 2018). ""Tunbridge Wells luxury chocolate factory set to close after 40 years of production"". Kent Online. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  6. ↑ "About Charbonnel et Walker Gourmet Chocolates & Truffles". Charbonnel et Walker – Britain’s First Luxury Chocolatier. Fine Chocolates and Truffles, established in 1875. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  7. ↑ "007 - James Bond Archives". Charbonnel et Walker – Britain’s First Luxury Chocolatier. Fine Chocolates and Truffles, established in 1875. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  8. ↑ "Drinking Chocolate Archives". Charbonnel et Walker – Britain’s First Luxury Chocolatier. Fine Chocolates and Truffles, established in 1875. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  9. ↑ "locations". Charbonnel et Walker – Britain’s First Luxury Chocolatier. Fine Chocolates and Truffles, established in 1875. Retrieved 20 January 2022.

Further reading

  • Coolbrands 2010/2011. London: Superbrands (UK) Ltd. 2010. ISBN 978-0-9565334-0-1.
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