Sweet SoHo Soirée: Maribel Lieberman Toasts the Art of Entertaining at MarieBelle New York

In a city where events are daily currency and glamour is routine, few moments manage to strike a truly personal chord. But on a recent evening at MarieBelle New York’s flagship boutique in SoHo, chocolatier and entrepreneur Maribel Lieberman did just that—welcoming guests not only into her store but into her world. The occasion? The publication of Maribelle Entertains, her new book that offers a behind-the-scenes look into her signature style of hosting with warmth, elegance, and flair.

The evening unfolded at 484 Broome Street, home to the celebrated MarieBelle New York flagship, where guests gathered to sip, savor, and celebrate the release of Lieberman’s latest project. Known for her artful approach to hospitality, Lieberman signed copies of her book while personally greeting guests and sharing the inspiration behind its pages. It was a fitting setting—intimate, refined, and layered with the subtle scent of rich cacao wafting from her celebrated chocolates.

Maribelle Entertains (published by Rizzoli Books) is more than a cookbook or a guide—it’s a narrative of Lieberman’s life through the lens of hospitality. Inspired by her upbringing in Honduras, her passion for global cuisine, and her background in design, the book offers readers a visual and culinary roadmap for throwing gatherings with intention and soul. Think curated tablescapes, globally inspired menus, and charming anecdotes that elevate the act of entertaining into an art form.

Among those kindred spirits were designer Nicole Miller, actress Sean Young, and a bevy of fashion editors, lifestyle influencers, and loyal customers who have followed Lieberman’s journey from her early days in catering to becoming one of New York’s leading voices in artisanal confections and refined hospitality.

It’s no accident that this celebration took place within the gilded walls of MarieBelle New York—a name that’s become synonymous with haute chocolate and couture confections. Lieberman’s journey to founding the brand began in the cacao fields of Honduras, where she first fell in love with the process of making sweets. Her artistic sensibility was later honed at The Parsons School of Design, and in 2001, she opened MarieBelle in SoHo. The boutique quickly gained cult status, thanks in part to her now-iconic Aztec Hot Chocolate—a favorite of Oprah’s—and the shop’s exquisite attention to detail.

What began as a creative fusion of food and fashion (her first boutique, Lunettes et Chocolat, sold both designer eyewear and handmade chocolates) evolved into a global brand, with locations in New York and Japan and a reputation for quality that transcends borders.

True to the essence of Maribelle Entertains, the evening reflected everything Lieberman stands for—thoughtfulness, artistry, and a commitment to joy through hospitality. Guests were treated to signature MarieBelle confections, each as elegant as the woman behind them, with sparkling conversation filling the air like the fizz of a well-poured champagne.

For those unable to attend the event, Maribelle Entertains is now available for purchase both at the flagship store and online. Inside its pages is an invitation—to slow down, to gather meaningfully, and to bring beauty to the everyday. And in true Maribel fashion, that invitation is wrapped in rich chocolate and tied with a bow.