Hélène and Mathieu Vanhoy are from the Lille metropolis. In 2016, Mathieu introduced him to Villefranche-de-Conflent. It's a favorite. This came to fruition in 2020, when they saw the bakery, closed for a while, put up for sale. They then take the radical decision to change their lives: they leave the North to settle here and take over the bakery, which opens its doors on March 21, 2021. Mathieu, 39 years old, is in the middle of a career change, he was a salesman for a large DIY sign and here he is in bakery training and Hélène, 35 years old, a professional pastry chef, accompanies him, with Patrice, 56 years old and 40 years of pastry work under his belt!
Call for buyers
Last month, the couple decided to put the bakery up for sale: “We want to start our family and take time for ourselves. The bakery is like catering, it takes a lot of time…”.
To facilitate the transition, Mathieu and Hélène are ready to support future buyers. “We would be happy to be able to follow and help future bakers and pastry chefs if necessary over several weeks”. Their accountant is also ready to work with them, as is Patrice the pastry chef, who will retire in 2 years: “I’m sold on the bakery package! I hope to be able to bring my know-how to the new bosses.”
Always creative, Hélène and Mathieu took on many challenges in baking, such as creating giant galettes des rois – “the first measured 70 cm in diameter and the second 80 cm” –, giant chocolate Easter eggs and a fine pastry for the singer from Perpignan R. can. The artist “made an improvisation in our lab which has been viewed more than 2.5 million times on social networks! We had to create a pastry that matched his level, it took us almost a year with him!”.
After almost four years of passion and work, it is time for Hélène and Mathieu to retire from the game and make way for new enthusiasts.
