Luxury chocolate manufacturer Marasu's Petit Fours has entered administration after 40 years in business. The company was founded in 1986 by patissiers Rolf Kern and Gabi Kohler, with the aim of producing premium chocolates for London's top venues.
History and operations
Marasu's was acquired by the Prestat Group in 2006. Since then, it has supplied Prestat, Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges, and Harrods. It is London's largest manufacturer of premium chocolates, with an annual output exceeding 300 tonnes from its 25,000 sq ft facility in Park Royal.
Administration and closure
Administrators were appointed on February 6, with the announcement made on February 17. The cause of the collapse is unclear, but it follows Prestat's entry into administration. Prestat, established in 1902, closed its historic Piccadilly shop in central London amid financial strain from weak sales and rising cocoa costs.
In recent years, the chocolate sector has faced global cocoa prices reaching unprecedented levels in 2024, with harvests affected by disease and severe weather, including floods and droughts in major producing nations such as Ghana and the Ivory Coast, which account for approximately 60% of global production.
Prepack administration and future
The shutdown is part of a prepack administration arrangement that will see the brand acquired by chocolate manufacturer L'Artisan du Chocolat, owned by Polus Capital Management. The deal was agreed before administrators were officially appointed and includes the purchase of Prestat for a nominal sum. Under the terms, Prestat is expected to operate only as an online brand going forward.
Royal warrants and cultural impact
Prestat held two Royal Warrants and counted the Royal Family, including Princess Diana, among its famous fans. In 2003, The Economist magazine ranked it as one of the top three chocolate shops in the world. The Piccadilly store provided inspiration for Roald Dahl, who referenced Prestat's truffles in his novel My Uncle Oswald. The shop is also believed to have inspired the magical sweet shop in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
