Business
27 August, 2021
Fine European cakes and pastries
FRENCH and European fine pastries and cakes have developed a following in the Cairns region thanks to former Perth couple Simon and Jenny Lewis-Jones, whose Orangerie Patisserie has built up a strong local reputation for quality food.
A qualified pastry chef with many years’ experience in hotels and resorts, Simon has developed an amazing menu at their Redlynch store and for anyone seeking traditional European-style bakery items such as ‘viennoiserie’ – they can find just about everything at Orangerie.
“We make everything from scratch,” Simon, who also owned a restaurant before the patisserie, said. “Everything is freshly made in traditional style, with no preservatives. Our popular and bespoke special occasion cake and celebration cake service offers outstanding quality and value.”
Simon and Jenny recognised the niche in Cairns and started catering for weddings, birthdays and other special occasions over 14 years ago.
“We’re very established here,” Simon said, adding that Orangerie has become a ‘generational’ store. “We’re now making wedding cakes for people who we made birthday cakes for when they were kids,” he said.
“All our products are crafted with dedication to authentic French methods to create both traditional and contemporary handmade products. A full range of superb boulangerie, viennoiserie, patisserie, gateaux and savoury products are available daily.”
Like most other small food businesses, Orangerie has had its challenges and had to quickly adapt because of COVID. They’ve branched out into savoury pastries as well – and grown their delivery services.
COVID has also brought the added issue of difficulties in finding steady staff – particularly qualified and experienced pastry cooks. The pandemic has resulted in fewer skilled people travelling to Australia from areas such as Europe.
“We’ve had to stop taking orders at certain times, especially over weekends, because of limited staff. We can only do so much.”
Simon and Jenny say because of their dedicated customer base they have a positive outlook for future times despite the challenges, and when it becomes possible again, plan to employ more staff.
Want to find our more?
Orangerie Patisserie
Redlynch Central Shopping Centre
Website: www.orangeriepatisserie.com.au/
