In view of the success of their bean-to-bar chocolate factory, currently located in Lomme in a 150 m2 workshop, Encuentro will be setting up a new 500 m2 factory in Saint-André-lez-Lille in a few weeks.
Encuentro, created in 2012 by Candice Peytour, a 2010 graduate of ITEEM, and her husband, Antoine Maschi, a 2010 graduate of the École Centrale de Lille, is the result of a shared passion for chocolate and the desire to undertake business in an ethical and responsible manner.
The new establishment will open its doors by the end of the year at Hall U Need and will allow for both on-the-spot sales and click and collect. Currently, Encuentro products can only be purchased on their website, in a few stores – such as Printemps, or at the Salon du Chocolat. As a sign of this new start, for its development and growth, this renowned chocolate has been awarded the Épicure d’Or every year since 2019!
This chocolate factory (born in the Dominican Republic) produces quality products from cocoa beans of various origins: Dominican Republic, Haiti, Peru, Guatemala, … “There is a story behind each bean,” explains Candice, who is developing her network of producers based on her travels. “Making chocolate is about creating a product that is delicious and pleasurable. It is a profession and a sector that needs to be developed and respected because there are many varieties of aromas and flavours to be exploited,” she explains.
Candice and Antoine have kept a strong link with Centrale Lille and have had students from ITEEM work on the development of their brand. Candice advises future entrepreneurs “not to be afraid to do things yourself and to start with small projects. In order to grow and develop, you also need to be able to accept your mistakes and correct them. Be passionate about what you do and create value around you!”