If Epiphany is not scheduled until Monday January 6, 2025, the pastry chefs of Indre have already been on deck for several days. Like Sébastien Pailloux, baker-pastry chef based in Étrechet since 2011, along the D943. “We started selling them on Saturday (December 28, 2024), he testifies. As there are already some in supermarkets, people are starting to ask us for them, so no time to waste! » Throughout the month of January, he will sell between 1,200 and 1,500, a significant part of his turnover. Here are five of his techniques for maintaining this tradition, year after year.
1. Don't be afraid to get up early
Sébastien Pailloux: “We are on a very busy road, and many people want to buy a cake to take with them to work. We need to be able to offer them some when they stop on their way. So I get up at 2:30 a.m. to prepare the first pancakes and put them in the oven, so that they are ready for our opening at 6:30 a.m. And we finish at 1:30 p.m.… Even if, in the afternoon , we sometimes prepare others and place orders. »
2. Have hands on deck
“In all, there are ten of us. And as in addition to the pancakes, we must continue to sell our bread and the usual products, it's all hands on deck at the moment! With me, in the kitchen, I have three employees and four apprentices, plus two salespeople in store. »
3. Vary the products
“Frangipane still represents the vast majority of pancake sales, around 80%. But we also need to be able to offer other tastes for those who don't like it. This year, starting this Saturday, January 4, we will be launching two additional flavors: pomme tatin and pistachio-griotte. And we also have to offer several formats: we therefore make pancakes for four, six, eight and ten people, at prices ranging between €14 and €25 each. But we can sometimes also make individual portions, depending on demand. »
4. Maintain prices
“Despite the increase in the price of butter over the past three to four years and the cost of electricity, we try to maintain attractive prices. As the almond powder has not increased too much, or even decreased, we can get our bearings. »
5. Suggest new beans
“We change our range of beans every year, because every year we have collectors who come and ask us for them. Generally, the choice and order are made in March, via a direct seller who comes to see us with his suitcase. This year, we went with a range of nine Nemo-themed beans. »
