The aroma of French sweets fills the air in Old Strathcona
A pastry and a lovely coffee is the best possible way to begin the day, just as a perfect cake or mousse is a great way to end it. Tarts at noon are also good.
Now, Edmontonians have another source for delicious French sweets, with the launch of yet another pastry shop in our city.
FanFan Patisserie threw open its doors this week. Its owner, pastry chef Franck Bouilhol, is from France, and trained at the pastry school owned by French celebrity chefs Yves Thuriès and Alain Ducasse. He moved to Edmonton for love, having met his Canadian wife when the two of them were in Belgium.
There are several different products in FanFan, which is only 250 square feet. Laminated breads such as croissants and pain au chocolate are made fresh daily, as are the scones and danishes.
French cakes (including raspberry chocolate!) are prepared
(Bouilhol) wanted his own digs so he could create exactly the kind of product he wanted to sell.
in individual serving sizes, and there are also lemon and chocolate caramel tarts. Bouilhol also sells house-made gelato and sorbetto. The ice cream is only for takeaway, served in individual cups to eat on the spot, or larger containers to take home.
“I’m going to try and make the ice cream a little bit different,” said Bouilhol. “I don’t just put ice cream into the (container). It’s like a cake, with Italian meringue and chocolate brownie inside, too.”
There is no seating inside FanFan, but outside, three little tables for two soak up the sun, and the shop offers a range of specialty coffee products to enjoy, as well. There is free parking right across the street.
Since he arrived in Edmonton three years ago, Bouilhol has been working toward this dream. For a while, he wasn’t allowed to work because his immigration paperwork hadn’t been completed. He took evening classes (on making sweets) at NAIT while he waited, honing his skills for the new business.
Eventually, he opened a small catering company called FanFan Pastry and sold to cafes and restaurants.
But he wanted his own digs so he could create exactly the kind of product he wanted to sell.
Bouilhol’s shop adds to the stable of new, fine bakeries in Edmonton. La Boule opened a few months back in Ritchie, and 124 St. recently welcomed Chocorrant. Arnaud’s Fine French Pastry in Oliver is another new player, as is the new iteration of The Art of Cake. Chef Bouilhol says Edmonton is making good progress.
“It’s getting there. There is getting more and more choice, so that is good for everybody,” he said.
FanFan Pâtisserie is open Tuesday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 10330 80 Ave. Call 780-803-3655.