Our Story

History of Pink Lady Chocolates

1930s

Pink Lady Chocolates were first sold in Melbourne during the 1930s at "Nutshell" a chocolate and nut shop located on the ground floor of the Manchester Unity Building at the corner of Collins and Swanston Streets, Melbourne, Victoria.

The chocolates used by Robert Raynor, the proprietor of "Nutshell" were high quality, European style chocolates. They were hand-made by Mr George Gorog and Mr Zoureff, both of whom had been trained in chocolate manufacturing in their homes in Europe before migrating to Australia.

1950s

By the 1950s, and through several ownership changes, Pink Lady Chocolates had gained the reputation as the best chocolates available in Australia, due to the types of chocolates, and their quality. This quality and style of the current Pink Lady products remains "European".

Soon after the first appearance of the high quality Pink Lady Chocolates at the "Nutshell", the business moved up the hill to 155 Collins Street, within the then theatre district of Melbourne, and was sold by its founder so he could join the Air Force for the war effort. After a very few years, the business again changed hands, the new owners being Mr Bruhl and Mr Tauber, who had also come to Australia with backgrounds in chocolate making in Europe.

The new proprietors soon started to make their own chocolates behind the shop, which remained open in the evenings to sell a large part of its hand-made chocolates to theatre patrons. In those halcyon days when a trip to the theatre meant a box of chocolates, and Pink Lady Chocolates were regarded as the finest.

1970/80s

Mr Geoff Bege, a high quality confectioner purchased Pink Lady Chocolates in 1973. He transformed the business using both his engineering and confectionery skills to introduce high quality lines of hand-made chocolates.  Mr Bege introduced many lines of chocolate utilising the recipes and skills he acquired from his apprenticeship with his father in Europe – including truffles, cherry liqueur chocolates, many lines of soft centres, chocolate dipped orange peel, marzipan and hazelnut filled chocolates. He also introduced hand made chocolate baskets (chocolate weaving/scrolling) – a skill which only a few people in Australia had during the 70’s and 80’s.  Mr Bege sold the business to his partner who owned the Nutshell side of the business in 1984/5.

Pink Lady's brand recognition remained strong through this time and many of today's retirees remain fond of the brand, and associate it with smooth chocolate. They look for Pink Lady in David Jones and Myer, and in specialty chocolate shops.

2000s - Now

Pink Lady has undergone several visual identity changes over the last 5 years and in 2011, will undertake a complete new branding and product packaging revitalisation to ensure Pink Lady continually meets consumer needs.

Pink Lady's new brand direction is Fashions! The new design is what chocolates are all about... beautiful & gorgeous. Pink Lady has the old fashioned glamour but with a modern twist!

Pink Lady is committed to providing high quality, Australian chocolates and has become the chocolate of choice for contemporary women.