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Since its founding in 1913, Leonidas has been dedicated to creating truly blissful moments by making the luxury of chocolate accessible to all.
Over 100 years ago, Leonidas Kestekides began crafting the pralines we know and love today. For four generations, the Kestekides family has shaped the Leonidas brand, making it a true family business. What began as a small shop with a sliding sash window, where pralines were displayed on the window sill, has since grown into an internationally recognised brand.
1900 – Leonidas Georges Kestekides travelled to the United States in search of his American dream. There, he learned the trade and became a confectioner.
1910 – Leonidas participated in the World Exhibition in Brussels, presenting his confectionery and patisserie creations to around thirteen million visitors. He was awarded the bronze medal, designed by Godefroid Devreese.
1913 – Leonidas returned to the World Exhibition, this time in Ghent, where he was awarded the gold medal and a commemorative certificate. That year, he also opened his first tearoom, where guests were treated to patisseries, confectionery, sweets, and ice cream.
1922 – Leonidas taught his nephew, Basilio Kestekides, how to become a confectioner. The two complemented each other perfectly: one was a born salesman, the other a creative spirit. Together, they created a range of delicious pralines.
1924 – While the Kestekides family managed the shop in Ghent, Leonidas and Basilio opened a new tearoom in Brussels, 'Pâtisserie Centrale Leonidas.'
1935 – Everything was going well until Basilio faced trouble with street trading. The police informed him that he needed to sell his products in a shop. Basilio rented a small, narrow room with no door to the main street, where he displayed his pralines on the window sill and sold them through a sliding sash window to passers-by. This later became Leonidas' trademark.
1937 – Basilio created the brand and logo for his uncle. He gradually took over the management of the company and registered the name 'Leonidas' with the city of Brussels. He named the brand after his uncle and chose the Greek warrior Leonidas as the logo in his honour.
1948 – On 20th February, disaster struck: Leonidas Kestekides passed away. Leonidas left his shops to his nephew, who was more motivated than ever. Basilio aimed to make luxury products that everyone could afford. Unlike others who raised prices to make pralines scarce, Leonidas increased production to keep the prices low.
1970 – On 2nd April, Basilio passed away, and Confiserie Leonidas was passed on to his brothers and sisters. Jean Kesdekoglu-Kestekides took over, and eventually, his daughter, Maria Kesdekoglu-Kestekides, began to help. From that moment, Leonidas really took off, with pralines being sold in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Greece, and the United Kingdom.
Until 1983, the price of Leonidas pralines was capped by the Belgian government—just like bread and milk prices—because they were considered a basic need.
1985 – Maria Kesdekoglu-Kestekides took charge of the company following the death of her father. She was assisted by her brother, Dimitrios Kestekoglou, and her cousin, Vassiliki Kestekides. The production of pralines continued to grow.
1986 – The first Leonidas store opened in Ireland, in Cork City.
2000 – Leonidas expanded internationally, with pralines also being sold in the United States and Asia.
2013 – On 15th November, King Philippe of Belgium announced his list of certified purveyors to the royal household. Leonidas was awarded a place on this prestigious list for its exceptional quality and affordable prices. This recognition was a great honour and a testament to the perseverance and hard work of everyone who contributed to the development of the Leonidas brand.
Leonidas chocolates are crafted with the expertise of our Maîtres Chocolatiers, using only the highest-quality ingredients including 100% pure cocoa butter and sustainably-sourced cocoa.
We use only the finest ingredients to ensure that every bite delivers a moment of pure delight, which is why our chocolates are crafted with 100% pure cocoa butter.
Our Maîtres Chocolatiers are dedicated to quality in every creation, which is why you won’t find a single drop of palm oil in our chocolates. It’s better for both the taste and the planet.
Since 1 October 2021, we have been using certified cocoa in the production of our chocolates. This certification has helped improve the living and working conditions of 2,450 cocoa growers and their families.
Our chocolates have been 100% made in Belgium since 1913, using cherished traditional recipes and expert craftsmanship.
Daniel Stallaert and Souad El Maslouhi have one passion in mind: chocolate. In their workshop, these two artisans are constantly on the lookout for quality ingredients, innovative flavours, and delectable combinations to create delightful chocolates for everyone.
Daniel Stallaert has been passionate about chocolate since childhood. At 13, he began his training at CERIA, a prestigious chocolatiers' school in Brussels. After completing a five-year programme, he gained experience at Wittamer, a renowned company in the heart of Brussels. Daniel went on to work at Neuhaus and Corné Port-Royal before joining Leonidas, where he continues to express his passion for chocolate. Recognised as one of the best chocolate artists in the world, Daniel's expertise was officially acknowledged in February 2022 when he received a diploma from the esteemed Académie Culinaire de France, the highest honour for any chef or pastry chef.
Souad El Maslouhi discovered her passion for chocolate during a visit to the Salon du Chocolat in Paris. This experience sparked a desire to learn the art of chocolate making, leading her to spend four years training in patisserie and chocolate making. After completing her training, Souad worked in Brussels with renowned master patissiers and chocolatiers, allowing her to fully immerse herself in her passion. In 2012, Souad joined Leonidas, where she continues to work with flavours to create extraordinary chocolates and pralines.
