The Best of French in Sydney: Michelle Guberina of Patisse

Profile series: Best of French in Sydney

Your guide –  find the best of French around the world – meet the owners & entrepreneurs who created the businesses…

Here we profile Patisse, which was created by Michelle to bring the baking style & traditions of Paris to Sydney.

Name: Michelle Guberina
Nationality: Australian
Role: Founder

Tell us about your business…

Tell us more…

Describe your business and your speciality

We are a classic French patisserie/cafe, cooking school, caterer & in late 2011 we launched Patisse on Tour – Gourmet Food Tours to France. Our passion is to bring the classic features of French baking and pastry to Sydney.

Patisse says “Our goal is to continue the traditions of classic baking whilst using only the best of local produce available. Tradition & quality are the benchmarks for our business – in essence  imparting ‘The Art of Pastry’.

From our Patisserie to our cooking class program, range of celebration cakes and food tours to France, we are committed to offering only a superior quality product.

The team of Pastry Chefs lead by Executive Chef Vincent Gadan together with Owner & Director Michelle Guberina look forward to sharing their love of pastry with those devoted to the worship of sweet treats.”

Which specific product is the most popular?

In our counter you really cannot go past the macaron – chocolate, vanilla, passionfruit, berry, violet… We just can’t keep up with supply.

Thanks to the phenomenon that is MasterChef Australia our cooking school goes from strength to strength.

Vincent Gadan, my Executive Chef, teaches hands on classes such as the macaron, croquembouche, french classics and of course, the wonderful soufflé. All classes are hands on and you are able to take home everything you make. This year we are looking to expand our class range and capacity to also include team building classes for larger groups offering a fabulous, fun food experience.

Who are your customers?

Our customers are true francophiles – those who appreciate quality, tradition and one of the world’s greatest food cultures. Thanks to Vincent being on MasterChef last year we don’t just have local customers, we have people who have come from Melbourne, Canberra and Queensland to visit our Cafe or attend one of our classes – the feedback is so wonderful.

When and why did you start your business in Sydney?

In 2005, I took a month off from my job and spent much time walking the streets of Paris.  After visiting Ladurée and Pierre Hermé, I came home and decided that Sydney needed an inspirational French patisserie. Luckily for me I have an inspirational French executive chef who creates amazing product.

How is business in Sydney?

Sydney is a large market and we are fortunate that there is space for all of us! The type of product that Vincent creates abounds in Paris, however there are only very few places in Sydney where such product is available.

What changes have happened in Sydney recently that have impacted your business?

The introduction of Masterchef Live to Sydney has been a great opportunity for my business – we hosted four sessions a day with 30 people and its been a fabulous branding exercise.

How would you improve business in Sydney?

Continued awareness of the quality of product offered by Patisse assists the growth of our business. Also being able to share knowledge through the expansion of our class program will be a major bonus.

How do you see Sydney in five years?

Sydney is a vibrant food hub with endless choices and opportunities.

The choice of cuisine, not just French is amazing and when you travel overseas you really appreciate just how broad the Sydney Food scene is.

What’s the most exciting thing currently happening in Sydney?

I think the introduction of food trucks for a trial by the City of Sydney 2012 is a great opportunity for Sydneysiders. In fact, if the trial goes well, I am very keen to get Patisse involved.

Favourite French places: Sydney and Paris

Favourite place to eat …

Sydney:

L’Etoile in Paddington

211 Glenmore Road, Paddington

Manu is not just a nice guy & hot dancer but also classic French chef – French favourites done very well!

Paris:

L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon

Loved the informal bar seating which is quite different to most of Paris. The food was fabulous, small morsels with amazing taste sensations and I have to say the staff was some of the best I have ever seen – anywhere! Their skill, knowledge and service were just amazing.

Plus, the people watching wasn’t bad either!

Favourite place to drink …

Sydney:

Any bar that serves a good Kir Royale or a coup de Bollinger!

Paris:

Cafe Marly at the Louvre – a perfect place to sit outside and watch the wonder that is the Louvre & of course the IM Pei Pyramid. You can linger for hours watching the passing parade!

After all in Paris, it’s all about style!

Favourite place to shop …

Sydney:

There is only place – Chanel

Paris:

There is only one place – Chanel

As you can tell I am a big Chanel fan (some might say addict) so every visit to Paris must include a stop at her famed shop on Rue Cambon. Last trip I also got to see the location of her very first shop which was actually a hat shop in the seaside resort of Deauvillle in Normandy (with money loaned to her by Boy Capel) – which may I add she paid back quickly and built the empire that we all love & admire today! I love her sense, not just of style but great business acumen.

Favourite place to play …

Sydney:

I LOVE Galleries – the Art Gallery of New South Wales is a definite favourite. Currently the Picasso Museum in Paris is closed for refurbishment and the wonderful collection is here at the Gallery in Sydney with much acclaim.

Paris:

Without doubt my favourite is the Musée D’Orsay – the best collection of impressionist art anywhere. And when you become a little weary, the ornate dining room is the perfect place to stop for le goûter with friends.

Favourite day trip…

From Sydney:

I love the trip down to Berry – fabulous jams & relishes at South Coast Providores, a great coffee at the Berry Sourdough Bakery and of course a glass of wine at one of the local wineries.

From Paris:

Honfleur – its a bit of a drive but so worth it. The Saturday markets are the best produce markets I have seen in France and the two Michelin Star restaurant Sa.Qu.Na- a small dining room with exquisite food and impeccable service – to die for!

Thank you Michelle for taking part in our Profile Series: ‘Best of French in Sydney’.  Here is Michelles’s website where you can find out more about Patisse.