Leonidas Kestekides

Leonidas Kestekides (1876–1948) (Greek: Λεωνίδας Κεστεκίδης) was an Ottoman empire-born Greek chocolate manufacturer, founder of the internationally famous Leonidas company in Belgium.[1][2] The company's primary focus is pralines (chocolate shells with soft fillings), but they also sell marzipan, solid chocolates, and other confectionery.

For the company, see Leonidas (chocolate maker).
Leonidas Kestekides
Born
Leonidas Kestekides

1876 (1876)
Nigde, Cappadocia, Ottoman Empire (now Turkey)
Died1948 (aged 71–72)
New York City, US
NationalityGreek American
OccupationConfectioner
Known forFounder, Confiserie Leonidas, philanthropist
SpouseJeanne Emelia Teerlinck (1912–1954)
Websitewww.leonidas.com

Life

Leonidas Kestekides was born to Cappadocian Greek parents in Nigde, Cappadocia (now in Turkey) in 1876.[3] Accounts of his early years vary, but it appears that he left Constantinople (now Istanbul), lived in Greece for a while and then went to Italy, where he became a wine merchant. He struggled financially, so he decided to move to New York City, where he worked as a confectioner from 1893 to 1898, then moved to Paris until 1908.

In 1910, he travelled to Belgium to attend the 1910 World Fair in Brussels, where he was awarded the bronze medal for his chocolate confectionery.[4] He returned to Belgium in 1913, attended the World Fair in Ghent, and moved permanently to Belgium, having met a young woman from Brussels during his visit.[1][5][6] He opened tea-rooms in Brussels, Ghent and Blankenberge, and the business expanded from there.

References
  1. Monahan, Rob; Neill Alleva (31 August 2010). The Ultimate Guide to Finding Chocolate in NYC (Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn ed.). Professor Chocolate. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-9844580-0-4. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  2. Van Osta, Ward (2012). Met naam en toenaam. Voornamen, familienamen en bekende merknamen (in German). Maklu. p. 109. ISBN 978-90-441-2931-1. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  3. Werkgroep Coupure, Werkgroep Coupure (2009). De Coupure in Gent. Scheiding en verbinding. Academia Press. p. 304. ISBN 9789038213231. Leonidas-Kestekidès (°1882 Nikede, met Griekse nationaliteit…(Translated: Leonidas Kestekides (° 1882 Nigde of Greek nationality
  4. Hubo, Bettina (26 May 2006). "Als Grieken pralines maken: de roots van Leonidas". Brussels Deze Week. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  5. "About Us > Our History". Leonidas. Archived from the original on 1 October 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  6. "Sprehod po bruseljskih čokoladnicah 1. del". siol.net. 2 October 2009. Archived from the original on 9 January 2010. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
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