Product stories : La Biscuiterie Namuroise

We met Laurent & Paul, the creators of La Biscuiterie Namuroise & asked them a few questions about the business and the cookie-making process. Wether you’re a sweet tooth or not, read on to learn more about this small Belgian company making authentic treats based on the recipes of the past.

A taste experience bringing back childhood memories

La Biscuiterie Namuroise is the story of 2 friends (hum, this sounds familiar), Laurent & Paul. Laurent trained as a baker and pastry chef & Paul in business and project development.

In August 2019, Laurent told Paul to reconsider the potential of his cookies, which were already a hit in his bakery. Even though Paul initially dismissed the idea with a casual "cookies still suck”, they decided to give it a chance anyway.

Shortly thereafter, they got the opportunity to make their cookies tasted at the VIP corner of the KIKK festival. The feedback was unanimous - their cookies evoked memories of childhood sweets, like a madeleine de proust.

Encouraged by this big success, they decided to embark on their own adventure and that’s were it all started.

Crunchy & authentic cookies just the way we like them

The cookie recipes have a rich history, dating all the way back to 1908, originating with Paul's great-grandfather. Their workshop in Namur meticulously crafts a total of 33 unique cookie varieties.

When we asked Paul to talk about the artisanal way of making cookies, here is his answer :

“The majority of our products are handmade, with only two machines mainly used to assist during the busy end-of-year season. We keep this approach because it actually adds a unique and flavorful touch to our products as it’s generally the case when you keep things the old way. Even in the future, we have no intention of industrializing our processes. This is also a proove that high-volume production can still be achieved through manual craftsmanship.”

Crafting cookies the right way - their attention to sustainability

Naturally, they prioritize sustainability by using locally sourced, additive-free, and preservative-free ingredients in every batch. They also have a range of organic cookies certified under the BIO Certisys label.

Paul filled us in on how they’re paying attention to making their biscuit-making process more eco-friendly :

“We're trying to be more eco-conscious in how we do things. We've cut back on excess inventory and now work with local suppliers, doing everything in short circuit and producing biscuits based on weekly orders. This significantly reduces waste. Our packaging materials are also getting a makeover, and we've got a bunch of cool ideas in the works. Plus, one of my personal goals within the cookie factory is to obtain the BCorp label within the next two years. We're all about trying out new ways of doing things and showing that we can make a difference.”

On top of that, they reuse the broken or missed biscuits. Some of them are eaten by the team, obviously, but that’s not it. The rest are donated to an NGO ‘Une Main Tendue’ in Namur. This association aims to help families in precarious situations. Among other things, they run a social restaurant and provide food parcels. It's not much, but small actions make big changes!

Personalize your cookies with your logo or design

Looking to add a personal touch to your cookie experience? Well, with Merchery, you can make their delicious cookies your own. Whether it's for a special event, a corporate gift, or as a present for your team, you can personalize these scrumptious treats with names, logos, or even sweet messages.

We asked Paul if he remembered a cool project we teamed up on for a client and he told us about a project for TEC, the regional public transport of Wallonia.

“It was way back when Merchery was just starting out with Simon and Ben. We received this huge order from TEC in the Walloon region—about 5000 bags of cookies. At the time, it was a bit of a surprise for us, but when Ben and Simon asked if we could handle it, we just said, "Absolutely, no problem!" and we made it happen. It's a fun memory of us working together and tackling big challenges.

Big thanks to La Biscuiterie Namuroise for opening their their authentic workshop to us, treating us to their delicious cookies, and letting us in on their story. We’ll always remember the smell of the fresh dough being lovingly crafted into delectable treats and it's a reminder of the passion that goes into every cookie they make.