Meet Our Chefs
Crafting the best in Belgian chocolate
Guided by passion and artistry, our Chefs craft every creation as a celebration of chocolate’s most exquisite expression — indulgence shaped into perfection.
Keeping the Belgian Tradition Alive
At GODIVA, our Chefs are the guardians of chocolate artistry — visionaries who transform the world’s finest ingredients into creations of unrivaled indulgence. With a mastery honed through tradition and elevated by imagination, they craft each piece as a jewel of flavor and texture, designed to delight the senses and stir emotion. Every recipe is a symphony of elegance and pleasure, a testament to our heritage of luxury and the timeless magic of chocolate.
Chef Chocolatier
Meet Chef Thierry Muret
Chef Chocolatier
Meet Chef Thierry Muret
“When I dream up new pairings, I think in layers — taste, aroma, and texture weaving together into something unforgettable. My travels with GODIVA have opened doors to flavors and traditions across the world, each one inspiring me to create chocolates that feel both timeless and new.”
CROSSING PATHS WITH GODIVA
Born in Dendermonde, Belgium, Chef Thierry Muret has dedicated his life to the pursuit of chocolate perfection. After moving to the U.S. with his sister to open a Belgian chocolate shop in Chicago, he joined GODIVA, where his passion and expertise have shaped the brand’s creations for decades.
With a background in chemistry, physics, and crystal formation, and a confectionery apprenticeship in Antwerp, Chef Muret brings a rare scientific depth to his artistry. This unique foundation allows him to craft recipes that balance precision with imagination, elevating every piece into an experience of true indulgence.
An expert in both chocolate and ice cream, he often looks to the fashion world for inspiration, translating its flowing lines, colors, and textures into elegant chocolate designs. Flavor ideas, meanwhile, come from the simple moments of everyday life, reimagined with creativity and care.
Drawn to GODIVA for its Belgian heritage, craftsmanship, and global reach, Chef Muret continues to honor tradition while pushing boundaries — shaping chocolate that is as timeless as it is innovative.
OpenChef Chocolatier
Meet Chef Ilse Wilmots
Chef Chocolatier
Meet Chef Ilse Wilmots
“On evenings when my mother returned home late from work, my siblings and I would gather in the kitchen to prepare dinner. Amidst the warmth, the aromas, and the quiet joy of creating together, I began to experiment with tarts and cakes. In those tender moments, something awakened in me — a realization that my life would be devoted to the beauty and artistry of food.”
HER DREAM JOB WITH GODIVA
Chef Ilse Wilmots began her career with Valentino Chocolatier before joining GODIVA in 1991 — her dream role. She spent eight years mastering her craft on the plant floor before moving to the R&D team, where the atelier for handcrafted products allowed her creativity to truly flourish. There, she discovered the joy of shaping high-quality chocolates that balance artistry with indulgence, a passion that continues to define her work today.
Inspired by GODIVA’s namesake, Lady Godiva — celebrated for her generosity, boldness, and pioneering spirit — Chef Wilmots feels a deep connection to the brand. She delights in the challenges that chocolate presents, seeing each recipe as both a puzzle and a canvas. Inspiration comes to her in many forms — in what she sees, tastes, and smells — but it is her imagination that transforms these sparks into the innovative creations that carry GODIVA’s signature of luxury and craft.
