SOUTHERN COMFORTS

Toowong’s renowned French Patisserie heads across the border to open its second store in Salt Village

SOUTHERN sweet-tooths, rejoice, for The French Patisserie is coming.

The French Patisserie was originally established in Toowong in 1984 by three French brothers, before being bought by the Gravestein family, who will continue to own and operate both stores.

Salt Village’s patisserie will offer artisan bread, pastries and French desserts inspired by the same original recipes created 33 years ago, along with freshly made coffee and a dedicated ‘wedding nook’ to cater for bridal events and the design of custom wedding cakes.

The delicacies will be baked on site by French pastry chefs Anthony Steele, who has worked in the Toowong store for a decade, and Quentin Jouvenaux, who is relocating to the Tweed Coast from France.

French Patisserie General Manager Louis Gravestein says the decision to move into Salt Village was made during a recent family holiday.

“My family has holidayed at Salt Village for the past seven years and we love the area. Last year we saw signage for a retail space and we realised it would be a perfect fit for us, with its proximity to the beach, beautiful parks and three resorts,” he says.

“Salt Village has a fantastic ambience and it attracts a great mix of people, from local residents through to holidaymakers from right across the country – especially those travelling for a wedding or honeymoon.

“The patisserie will fill a gap in the retail village by offering savoury and sweet treats from breakfast until dinner every night, in addition to high tea and catering for special occasions.

“We will have a full window display like traditional French patisseries, so customers can be tempted by our authentic gateaus, macarons, petit fours, flans, tarts and the smell of fresh bread baked on site daily.”

The French Patisserie will add to the multicultural dining scene at Salt Village, which is already home to Thai, Italian and Modern Australian cuisine and the beachside Salt Bar.

Salt Village developer Tom Ray, director of Ray Group, says the offerings of the retail precinct is proving popular with experienced restaurateurs from Brisbane, Byron Bay and the Gold Coast.

The French Patisserie opens Saturday at Bells Boulevard, South Kingscliff