the evolution of Galler chocolaterie independante

In 2009, I had the pleasure of meeting Jean Galler, founder of Galler Chocolatier at his office in Liège, Belgium, and was immediately enamoured with his charm and sophisticated style. And that was before I’d even tasted the chocolate of Galler Chocolatier–now officially known as Galler chocolaterie independante.

Jean Galler proudly introduces us to his finest chocolates.

galler chocolate of Belgium

Jean Galler emits passion and excitement in his every word, movement and action. He is without question one of the most elegant and sophisticated chocolatiers on the planet and there was no doubt that he would deliver that passion and elegance in his chocolate creations. We were not disappointed. The extensive selection of Galler Chocolate we tasted was complex and multi-faceted, and would undoubtedly please everyone with a discerning taste for fine chocolate.

Galler has been making chocolate since 1976 and in 1993, was the first of Belgium’s chocolatiers to launch a 70% cocoa chocolate in which he found the perfect blend between bitterness and sweetness. In 2008, he launched a series of four blended chocolates. It is a very similar technique to blending grape varietals for wine such as Bordeaux, says Galler, whose passion for chocolate focuses on the finest quality.

The reality of today’s discerning chocolate connoisseur is a desire for a small quantity of sustainable chocolate of excellent quality. So Galler Chocolate launched a series of mini gourmet chocolate bars that have become extremely popular. Galler also has a series of products for children. All Galler Chocolate is made from 100% sustainable fair-trade cocoa and is sold around the world.

Jean Galler’s playful side shows us his children’s line of fine chocolate products.

What does chocolate symbolize to the man who holds a Belgian Royal Warrant to make chocolate for the King of Belgium? “For me, chocolate is freedom. So in the box, I put freedom to choose and to change.” Galler chocolaterie independante has more than 40 chocolate shops around the world, including one in the Grand Place in Brussels and eight shops in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). His chocolate is also sold in numerous fine shops including the Chocolate Museum in Bromont, Quebec and at select Costco stores. I purchased the box of assorted chocolates pictured below at a Costco in Winnipeg.

I purchased this box of Galler Assorted Chocolates for $17.99 Canadian at a Costco store in Winnipeg in July, 2024. As a result of change in administration, this incarnation of Galler chocolate is not quite as fine flavoured and of the perfect texture of the chocolate I enjoyed with Monsieur Galler in 2009. But it is still fine made-in-Belgium chocolate to please your palate and definitely worth trying.

The majority of Galler Chocolate shares was sold to a group of Qatari investors between 2006 and 2018, but Jean Galler continues to offer his creative expertise as the company evolves.

In 2008, Galler had launched Chocolat-passion, a wine-matching concept in which a sommelier at each of his second-generation shops helps customers purchase just the right wine to enjoy with their chocolate purchases. You will find 32 wines from 22 different countries at Galler’s Chocolat-passion locations, in addition to multi media all about chocolate. What could be sweeter?

Galler also had a tea matching service for his chocolate creations at his Chocolat-Thé locations, at which you can enjoy any of 30 different teas in the traditional way with your Galler chocolates. And a new, third concept for chocolate appreciation can be found at his signature, Liege location. Visit the Chocolat Bar for a chocolate experience you will never forget.

Liège is a short drive from Brussels and is also accessible by train. They have an impressive train station that I’m told took 13 years to build! The city itself is an industrial hub and more of a place to visit rather than stay.

When you are in Belgium, be sure to visit more than one of the Galler Chocolatier locations and experience the extent of Galler’s creativity and ingenuity. And enjoy the elegant and exotic nature of his chocolates. You will never forget them, just as I will never forget meeting Monsieur Galler.