Choux Choux looks for sweet success in exports
Choux Choux, a Northern Irish specialist in handcrafted fresh pastry, is investing £152,000 to expand its business in the Republic of Ireland and to explore opportunities developing in Britain for its expertise.
The company, based at Bangor, County Down, is led by French patisserie chef Jean Pierre Carre, who came to Belfast in 1984 from Versailles, near Paris, and is a Fellow of the World Master Chefs' Society,
The company has already won significant business from foodservice organisations in the Republic of Ireland as well as Northern Ireland and is targeting potential clients in Britain.
Mr Carre says: "I set up Choux Choux to meet a market demand for premium and fresh desserts and pastries from chefs wishing to offer customers a deliciously different taste experience. Chefs here are now keen to work with us to create original desserts and pastries.
"What sets us apart is our focus on providing fresh and often unusual desserts which are produced on a daily basis to specifications agreed with customers. We created a range of mini-desserts, for instance, in response to a demand from chefs wishing to offer diners the opportunity to taste bite-sized portions of different desserts at the same time.
"We are also developing an e-commerce site that will provide a platform for us to expand awareness and increase business in Northern Ireland but also in our target growth markets of the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain," he adds.
Led by Mr Carre, who has experience over 30 years in catering, Choux Choux currently produces over 100,000 desserts per annum and specialises in chocolate treats and mini desserts. He founded the business in April 2008. His family roots are in the French baking industry.
The company is expanding from a solid base in Northern Ireland where it already provides desserts to high profile clients such as Queen's University and Titanic Belfast for functions, conferences, graduation ceremonies and weddings.
Pic Caption:
Bangor-based Choux Choux, a specialist in hand crafted fresh pastry, is investing £152,000, with assistance from Invest NI to expand its business in the Republic of Ireland and to explore opportunities developing in Britain. Pictured is Maynard Mawhinney, Invest NI Director of Food and Tourism, with Jean-Pierre Carre, Managing Director of Choux Choux. Photography by Michael Cooper.