Since his arrival in Paris from Tokyo in 1991, Sadaharu Aoki has established himself as one of Paris’s top pastry chefs and chocolatiers. His creations artfully combine the aesthetics and flavours of traditional Japanese confections with classic French pâtisserie. Chef Aoki has won numerous awards both in France and Japan. He was recently awarded 5 bars … Continue reading Sadaharu Aoki Noël 2012 Christmas Collection
The invention of madeleines, the small, rich shell-shaped cakes popular throughout France, is believed to date back to the 18th century, when they were first made in the town of Commercy (Lorraine region). In 1755, Madeleine Paulmier, a servant of the marquise Perrotin de Baumont, is said to have created some little scallop-shaped cakes for … Continue reading Petites Madeleines (madeleine cakes)
It was two years ago that chocolatier Pierre Cluizel (son of renowned chocolatier and chocolate maker Michel Cluizel) launched his new chocolate concept store, Un Dimanche à Paris, in the historic Cour du Commerce Saint-André (6th arr.). Today, Cluizel’s one-stop “everything chocolate” shop is busier than ever, with its chocolate store, pâtisserie, chocolate cuisine restaurant, lounge, tea … Continue reading Un Dimanche à Paris Noël 2012 Christmas collection
Ladurée‘s featured pastry for December is “la briochette praliné et or fin” (mini brioche with praliné and gold leaf). This rich and buttery mini “brioche mousseline” is filled with old-fashioned praliné and topped with gold-leaf-covered toasted Piedmont hazelnuts. It is the 12th and final dessert in Ladurée’s series of 150th anniversary pastries. Ladurée was founded … Continue reading A mini brioche for December at Ladurée
The pastry chefs at Angelina, the celebrated Paris tea room once frequented by Coco Chanel and Marcel Proust, have dreamed up a spicy, fruity bûche de Noël in honour of the salon’s Austrian roots. Indeed, Angelina was founded in 1903 by Austrian pastry chef and confectioner Antoine Rumpelmayer (1832-1914). Mr Rumpelmayer came to France in 1870, first setting … Continue reading Angelina: A taste of Austria
Since its launch one year ago, Sébastien Gaudard’s Pâtisserie des Martyrs (9th arr.) has made a name for itself serving up traditional French pastries in its lovely vintage locale. (The store is located in the premises of the former Pâtisserie Seurre, one of the oldest in Paris.) For the Yuletide season, Chef Gaudard, named “Best Pastry Chef … Continue reading Sébastien Gaudard: Inspired by tradition
La Maison du Chocolat has put together a stellar collection of chocolate creations for this year’s holiday season! Created under the direction of chef Nicolas Cloiseau, these festive goodies combine the magic of Christmas with stunning chocolate artistry. From a star-studded chocolate bûche de Noël to fruit- and nut-filled chocolate stars and a striking chocolate Christmas tree, this year’s … Continue reading La Maison du Chocolat: Christmas under the stars
