Parisian Croissants Debut at Essence Bakery Cafe

Now that they've mastered mind-blowing authentic macarons, the talented folks at Essence Bakery Cafe are branching out to croissants. Chef-owner Eugenia Theodosopoulos says this is the first time her Tempe shop has offered freshly baked croissants and chocolate croissants. It's no novice attempt, though. Theodosopoulos got some expert guidance from...

By Michele Laudig

January 19, 2010

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Now that they've mastered mind-blowing authentic macarons, the talented folks at Essence Bakery Cafe are branching out to croissants.

Chef-owner Eugenia Theodosopoulos says this is the first time her Tempe shop has offered freshly baked croissants and chocolate croissants.

It's no novice attempt, though. Theodosopoulos got some expert guidance from an award-winning French pastry chef.

Turns out, her friend and mentor Jean Louis Clement -- one of 32 French chefs who've been awarded the prestigious Meilleur Ouvrier de France, boulangerie-viennoiserie, she notes -- was recently in town from Paris for a week, lending a hand in the kitchen.

Quel ami!

If these croissants are anything like the other baked goodies here, they're surely worth a special trip. Can't you just smell the butter already?

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