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The Benefits of Adding a “Café Gourmand” to Your Restaurant’s Menu

The Benefits of Adding a “Café Gourmand” to Your Restaurant’s Menu

Aug 31, 2024 | French lifestyle, French Pastry Consulting

The Benefits of Adding a “Café Gourmand” to Your Restaurant’s Menu You can’t have your cake and eat it too—unless you’re in France! When it comes to desserts, the French have found a clever solution. As true food lovers, they’ve decided...

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Love French baking? Want to perfect classic pastry techniques at home?

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You might think pastry belongs in the elegant bout You might think pastry belongs in the elegant boutiques of Paris.

But pâte sucrée — and a bit of boldness — can travel far 🌍

Years ago, I stepped away from the traditional kitchen path.

Not to escape it, but to bring it where it rarely goes.

Today, I help resort teams in secluded places craft unforgettable dessert experiences — with the skills, confidence, and creativity to match.

We build menus that reflect each unique location.

We train hands that turn simple ingredients into stories.

And we make sure guests leave remembering *that* dessert.

This wasn’t the plan. But it became the dream.

And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

#FrenchPastry #ChefLife #RemoteResorts #PastryConsulting #BespokeLearning #PastryTraining #HospitalityExperience
🐰 Would you believe this Easter delight is natu 🐰 Would you believe this Easter delight is naturally gluten free?

The perfect pairing of fruit & chocolate—a match made in pastry heaven! And the best part? No need for special substitutes—this recipe naturally fits dietary needs *without* compromising on flavor or texture.

🍫 Almond chocolate cake

🍓 Raspberry mousse

🍫 Dark chocolate ganache

🍓 Fresh raspberries to finish

Light, generous, and incredibly satisfying—this dessert proves that gluten free doesn’t mean boring.

💡 It’s also super versatile: swap the raspberry for your favorite fruit and make it your own. A true *Swiss army knife* for your pastry menu!

Would you take a bite? 👀👇

#GlutenFreeDessert #EasterPastry #ChocolateLovers #RaspberryAndChocolate #FrenchPastry
Not everyone learns the same way… so why should Not everyone learns the same way… so why should training be one-size-fits-all? 🤔

In a pastry kitchen, every team member has their own way of absorbing knowledge:

👀 Some learn best by watching and listening.

📖 Others need clear written instructions.

👐 And many only truly get it once they’ve practiced hands-on.

So how do you make sure 𝚎̲𝚟̲𝚎̲𝚛̲𝚢̲𝚘̲𝚗̲𝚎̲ in your team gets the most out of a pastry training? By offering multiple learning methods:

✅ A 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 with clear instructions, step-by-step visuals & final result photos.

✅ 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀-𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 to develop techniques, movement & texture awareness.

✅ 𝗤&𝗔 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 to go over anything that wasn’t clear.

✅ 𝗔 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 with training videos & photos for long-term retention.

By blending these approaches, your team isn’t just learning—they’re building skills they’ll keep for the long run.

👉 What about you? What’s your favorite way to learn? Drop it in the comments! ⬇️

#TailoredTraining #PastrySkills #BespokeLearning
💰 Vanilla on a budget? Here’s how to make the 💰 Vanilla on a budget? Here’s how to make the most of every pod! ✨

With ingredient costs rising, finding smart ways to optimize flavors is key—especially when working with black gold: vanilla.

✔️ Infuse cream with a whole pod for pastry cream, ganache, or custard. Then, don’t toss it!

✔️ Dry it & store it with sugar for homemade vanilla sugar.

✔️ Roast & blend it into a fine powder for an extra flavor boost.

✔️ Use vanilla extract in baked recipes to save costs without sacrificing taste.

And always check local sources—you might find hidden gems at better prices!

How do you make the most of your ingredients? Let’s share tips in the comments! ⬇️

#PastryTips #VanillaHack #LuxuryPastry #PastryInnovation #SmartBaking
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MASTER FRENCH PASTRY WITH EASE!

Love French baking? Want to perfect classic pastry techniques at home?

🎥 Join my step-by-step video course and learn how to bake iconic French desserts effortlessly!

👉 Click here to start your baking journey!

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frenchpastrysecrets

You might think pastry belongs in the elegant bout You might think pastry belongs in the elegant boutiques of Paris.

But pâte sucrée — and a bit of boldness — can travel far 🌍

Years ago, I stepped away from the traditional kitchen path.

Not to escape it, but to bring it where it rarely goes.

Today, I help resort teams in secluded places craft unforgettable dessert experiences — with the skills, confidence, and creativity to match.

We build menus that reflect each unique location.

We train hands that turn simple ingredients into stories.

And we make sure guests leave remembering *that* dessert.

This wasn’t the plan. But it became the dream.

And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

#FrenchPastry #ChefLife #RemoteResorts #PastryConsulting #BespokeLearning #PastryTraining #HospitalityExperience
🐰 Would you believe this Easter delight is natu 🐰 Would you believe this Easter delight is naturally gluten free?

The perfect pairing of fruit & chocolate—a match made in pastry heaven! And the best part? No need for special substitutes—this recipe naturally fits dietary needs *without* compromising on flavor or texture.

🍫 Almond chocolate cake

🍓 Raspberry mousse

🍫 Dark chocolate ganache

🍓 Fresh raspberries to finish

Light, generous, and incredibly satisfying—this dessert proves that gluten free doesn’t mean boring.

💡 It’s also super versatile: swap the raspberry for your favorite fruit and make it your own. A true *Swiss army knife* for your pastry menu!

Would you take a bite? 👀👇

#GlutenFreeDessert #EasterPastry #ChocolateLovers #RaspberryAndChocolate #FrenchPastry
Not everyone learns the same way… so why should Not everyone learns the same way… so why should training be one-size-fits-all? 🤔

In a pastry kitchen, every team member has their own way of absorbing knowledge:

👀 Some learn best by watching and listening.

📖 Others need clear written instructions.

👐 And many only truly get it once they’ve practiced hands-on.

So how do you make sure 𝚎̲𝚟̲𝚎̲𝚛̲𝚢̲𝚘̲𝚗̲𝚎̲ in your team gets the most out of a pastry training? By offering multiple learning methods:

✅ A 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 with clear instructions, step-by-step visuals & final result photos.

✅ 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀-𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 to develop techniques, movement & texture awareness.

✅ 𝗤&𝗔 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 to go over anything that wasn’t clear.

✅ 𝗔 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 with training videos & photos for long-term retention.

By blending these approaches, your team isn’t just learning—they’re building skills they’ll keep for the long run.

👉 What about you? What’s your favorite way to learn? Drop it in the comments! ⬇️

#TailoredTraining #PastrySkills #BespokeLearning
💰 Vanilla on a budget? Here’s how to make the 💰 Vanilla on a budget? Here’s how to make the most of every pod! ✨

With ingredient costs rising, finding smart ways to optimize flavors is key—especially when working with black gold: vanilla.

✔️ Infuse cream with a whole pod for pastry cream, ganache, or custard. Then, don’t toss it!

✔️ Dry it & store it with sugar for homemade vanilla sugar.

✔️ Roast & blend it into a fine powder for an extra flavor boost.

✔️ Use vanilla extract in baked recipes to save costs without sacrificing taste.

And always check local sources—you might find hidden gems at better prices!

How do you make the most of your ingredients? Let’s share tips in the comments! ⬇️

#PastryTips #VanillaHack #LuxuryPastry #PastryInnovation #SmartBaking
Let’s get ready for Easter with a delicious, fru Let’s get ready for Easter with a delicious, fruity treat: the Lemon Meringue Easter Nest! 🍋🐣

Made with crispy French meringue and tangy lemon curd, then topped with sugar eggs, these little delights are the perfect addition to your Easter table. ✨

A fun twist on the classic Lemon Meringue—and if you want to take it a step further, serve them on a disc of pie crust for a tart-like version.

Easy to make, easy to enjoy—that’s all we need to create magic on our guests’ plates!

Want the recipe? Comment EASTER below, and I’ll send it your way! 🍋🐰👇

#eastercake #eastersnack #easterrecipe #bakewithme #pastrychef #homemadedessert #festivedesserts #frenchpastry #lemon #lemonmeringue #lemonmeringuetart #easybaking
🛠️ 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻 🛠️ 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝘅𝗲𝗿?

Each tool has a 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲, and using the wrong one can lead to flat cakes, tough cookies, or overworked dough.

Here’s your quick guide to getting it right:

✅ 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗸 – For airy textures like meringues & whipped cream

✅ 𝗣𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 – Best for creaming butter, mixing cookie dough & cake batters

✅ 𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗛𝗼𝗼𝗸 – Perfect for kneading brioche, bread & croissant dough

⚠️ 𝙿̲𝚛̲𝚘̲ ̲𝚝̲𝚒̲𝚙̲:̲ Never use high speed with the dough hook! It can damage your stand mixer.

💬 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁? 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝗮 🍞, 🍪, 𝗼𝗿 🎂 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀!

📌 Save this post for later & share it with fellow bakers!

#PastrySkills #BakingTips #StandMixerHacks #PastryConsulting
Bringing in a consultant can feel like a risk—wi Bringing in a consultant can feel like a risk—will it throw off your team’s rhythm? Or will it actually help them grow? 

The best training doesn’t disrupt; it integrates. 

It respects the team’s existing strengths while introducing new skills in a way that feels natural and practical.

That’s why I always adapt to the kitchen’s workflow, listen to the team’s needs, and make training hands-on. 

When done right, it’s not about changing everything—it’s about refining, improving, and making sure the results last long after the training ends.

What’s one challenge your pastry team is facing right now? Let’s chat!

#StaffTraining #FoodIndustry #CulinaryConsultant #PastryCoach #SecludedResorts #ElevateYourMenu
🎂 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗱 🎂 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗲! 🎂

Another year on this earth, tasting and baking delicious pastries—what better way to celebrate than by sharing 𝟮 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 + 𝟳 𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗲? (Because let’s be honest, 27 would be a lot 😅)

𝙿̲𝚊̲𝚜̲𝚝̲𝚛̲𝚢̲ ̲𝙻̲𝚎̲𝚜̲𝚜̲𝚘̲𝚗̲𝚜̲:̲
🍰 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀. Always take pictures of your baked goods, especially in the beginning. As a perfectionist, I tend to focus on what’s not perfect, but looking back at old photos reminds me of how far I’ve come. Progress is worth celebrating!

🥐 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴. The first attempt is rarely perfect, but the more you bake, the more confident and precise you become. Let’s just say I lost count of how many times I had to make croissants and macarons before I truly nailed them… and I’ll keep that number to myself. 😆

𝚄̲𝚗̲𝚎̲𝚡̲𝚙̲𝚎̲𝚌̲𝚝̲𝚎̲𝚍̲ ̲𝙵̲𝚊̲𝚌̲𝚝̲𝚜̲ ̲𝙰̲𝚋̲𝚘̲𝚞̲𝚝̲ ̲𝙼̲𝚎̲:̲
✨ After a general catering diploma and an unexpected career shift due to a bad internship experience, I decided to return to pastry. I ended up earning my 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗯𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗮 while also studying 𝗻𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲—a combination that turned out to be incredibly useful!

✨ I 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺. So my deal? I prepare the batter, and my partner cooks them!

✨ Macarons are my favorite thing to bake… but also my biggest nemesis on some days.

✨ I’ve 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲-𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗯𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗸𝗲. My stepmom has baked every single one of my birthday cakes (and my brothers’) since we were kids—and she 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 does today!

👇🏼 See the rest in comments ✨
✨ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗕𝗲 ✨ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝘆 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮 ✨

What makes my approach different? It’s not just about teaching pastry techniques—it’s about 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 for your team.

👩‍🍳 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗜 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀:

✅ Hands-on, on-site training tailored to their real kitchen setup

✅ A collaborative approach—because they know their workflow best

✅ A friendly yet structured environment to make learning stress-free

✅ Focused, manageable sessions that fit into daily operations

✅ Real pastry challenges that keep motivation high

📩 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮? 𝘓𝘦𝘵’𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘵!

#TailoredTraining #PastrySkills #BespokeLearning
Elevating Pastry, Transforming Experiences✨ Whe Elevating Pastry, Transforming Experiences✨

When Nasikia Camps decided to enhance their pastry offering, we worked together to bring fresh, homemade creations to their guests. 🍰🥐

Through hands-on training, their team mastered techniques that continue to make a lasting impact—both in the kitchen and in guest satisfaction.

Nothing makes me prouder than seeing these skills live on long after the training is over!

Would you like to bring the same transformation to your resort? Let’s talk!

#SecludedResorts #TailoredTraining #PastrySkills #BespokeLearning #ElevatedHospitality
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