As tears welled in his eyes, master chocolatier Bernard Callebaut announced yesterday that a receiver has been imposed on his nearly 30-year business.
Following some financial stress, Callebaut explained that Deloitte now holds the power over the Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut.
“It’s a funeral,” he said, his tearful wife Francesca by his side. “I’m burying a 27-year-old child.”
Sending several thanks to the people of Calgary, Callebaut said he may be down but he’s not out.
“I’m going to serve you chocolates again in Calgary, in Alberta, in Canada, because that’s what I’m born for,” he said.
Callebaut explained that he had purchased a $5-million plot on the Trans-Canada in 2007, where he hoped to have a farm and a chocolate factory. After a slump in sales, Callebaut attempted to sell the land but was unsuccessful.
He said he doesn’t know what his role will be in the business as of now, but Callebaut said he will continue to make chocolate.
