Tell us about the history of your brand…
Galvin Weston: Charbonnel et Walker was Britain’s first luxurious chocolatier, established by Madame Charbonnel and Mrs. Walker almost 150 years ago in 1875. At that time, the chocolate in the UK was fairly uninspiring; on the Continent, the approach was much more experimental and with better quality ingredients. The combination of Mrs. Walker’s artistry to create the gift boxes, often embroidered and embellished, and and the superior product Madame Charbonnel made created quite a stir. Their first store opened on Bond Street with a Salon de Thé and quickly became the go to place for decadent confectionary, beautifully presented in extraordinary gift boxes.
The company was awarded a Royal Warrant to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1970. From that time onwards, and as tastes changed, so too did the variety of chocolates available. Milk chocolates were introduced, and from the late 1990s we started to make truffles – at first in just a few flavours, but due to their popularity, the truffle collections increased greatly.
What is your brand best known for?
Being a dark chocolate-only house up until the 1970s, our dark chocolate remains very popular. Charbonnel et Walker Rose and Violet Creams have a somewhat iconic status and a global reputation. In more recent years, Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles and our collections of Sea Salt Caramel Truffles that do not contain alcohol have become extremely popular. Chocolat Charbonnel drinking chocolate, Mint Thins and Fine Dark Chocolate Enrobed Stem Ginger are perfect companions to the change of seasons. The brand is also known for beautiful gift boxes and presentation, I do love the Boite Blanche gift boxes filled with chocolates, delicious edible art.
What has been a significant achievement in your company’s timeline?
The introduction of our Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles in their classic, pastel pink, round truffle box changed the appeal of the brand to a much wider and far-reaching demographic. The flavour is still adored today and the simple elegance of the box has stood the test of time. To receive the Royal Warrant to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was also a great honour in the history of Charbonnel et Walker.
Sustainability has also become a key focus in recent years, we use sustainably sourced cocoa beans and frequently review our approach to make the business more sustainable from manufacturing through to retail.
Why do you love the brand?
I grew up with Charbonnel et Walker chocolates. As my mother’s favourite chocolate brand, they were frequently present at the family home and always for special occasions. It’s this very nostalgic and personal connection I have for the brand. It will always be associated with wonderful memories for me.
Why does your brand represent the very best in British luxury?
For me, it’s the focus on quality, presentation, sustainability and service.
What attracted you to becoming a Walpole member?
An organisation that promotes the crème de la crème of British brands to a world stage is of great appeal. This particular sector delivers a huge boost to the UK economy. To have a platform that celebrates all the work and dedication involved for every member is extremely important.
If you could collaborate with another Walpole member, which one would you choose (and what would you like to do)?
I am interested to look at a fashion partnership for a memorable keepsake gift, filled with a unique chocolate creation. I’m a great admirer of Alexander McQueen – the brand's Bond Street store is very close to Charbonnel et Walker, and its windows are always filled with striking examples of the label's craftsmanship, tailoring and luxe aesthetic. The Charbonnel et Walker team are also great fans of Manolo Blahnik – an update to our Handbag and Heels gift set would be fantastic.
Tell us about an exciting development or new launch for your brand in the coming months?
I’m looking forward to the launch of our Vegan Organic Dark Chocolate and Vegan Oat Milk Chocolate.
To learn more about the brand, visit charbonnel.co.uk
