One of Britain’s most respected luxury chocolate manufacturers has collapsed into administration, bringing an end to four decades of production at the heart of London’s premium

confectionery scene.

Marasu’s Petit Fours, founded in 1986 by master patissiers Rolf Kern and Gabi Kohler, built its reputation supplying handcrafted chocolates to some of the capital’s most prestigious retailers and hospitality clients. From its base in Park Royal, the company grew into London’s largest producer of premium chocolates, turning out more than 300 tonnes a year from a 25,000-square-foot facility.

The business was acquired by the Prestat Group in 2006 and went on to manufacture chocolates for renowned names including Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges and Harrods.

Despite its pedigree, Marasu’s has struggled in recent years amid increasingly hostile market conditions. Administrators were formally appointed on February 6, with Alessandro Sidoli and Jessica Barker of Xeinadin Corporate Recovery Limited named as joint administrators. The precise cause of the collapse has not yet been disclosed.

The administration comes against the backdrop of wider turmoil in the luxury chocolate sector. Global cocoa prices surged to record highs in 2024, while crops in major producing nations such as Ghana and Ivory Coast have been damaged by disease, flooding and prolonged drought. Together, those two countries account for around 60 per cent of the world’s cocoa supply.

Industry sources have also suggested Marasu’s faced pressure after investing heavily in ultra-premium cocoa varieties, including Criollo beans — a move that increased costs and left the business exposed as cheaper competitors gained ground.

The news follows Prestat itself entering administration, with a pre-pack deal already agreed to sell the brand to L’Artisan du Chocolat, owned by Polus Capital Management. Under the agreement, Prestat is expected to continue trading as an online-only brand.

Prestat, founded in 1902, recently closed its historic Piccadilly shop after mounting financial pressure. The chocolatier held two Royal Warrants and counted members of the Royal Family among its customers. It also earned international acclaim, with 'The Economist' once ranking it among the world’s top three chocolate shops.

For many in the industry, Marasu’s collapse is a sobering reminder that even long-established, high-end food producers are not immune to rising costs, volatile supply chains and shifting consumer habits in an increasingly competitive market.