PARIS, Nov 28 ― The Parisian luxury food store and delicatessen is celebrating its 130th anniversary this Holiday season with a special collection of sweet and savoury treats. For the French festivities, pastry chef Patrick Pailler has reworked the traditional yule log into a festive tree-shaped creation, combining Christmas spices, apple and sudachi (a small Japanese citrus fruit, similar to a lime or a yuzu). Here's a look back at ten key dates in the history of Fauchon, a veritable institution on the French capital's food scene.
1886: Fauchon opened at 26 Place de la Madeleine in Paris. Auguste Félix Fauchon opened his first store after having previously sold high-quality fruit and vegetables from all over France from his cart in the same central Paris square. His specific aim was to sell French groceries.
1890: The store expanded its selection with a pick of fine wines from the “Les Caves Fauchon” wine cellar.
1895: Fauchon added a new string to its culinary bow with a bakery and pastry counter.
1898: Fauchon opened its first tea room in Paris, called the “Five O'Clock.”
1952: The descendants of Auguste Félix Fauchon sold their now famous grocery store to the industrialist, Joseph Pilosoff, the former owner of “Chocolat Poulain.”
1972: The store went international with its first outlet in Takashimaya, Tokyo, Japan. It now also counts locations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait, Bangkk, Seoul, Tel Aviv, Hong Kong, Casablanca, Riyadh among many other cities around the world.
1986: Pierre Hermé started working with the high-end deli, simultaneously building his reputation as the Picasso of pastry. He was already experimenting with rose flavours, as used in the Ispahan, one of his signature creations. He also crafted the “Paradis” dessert with rose and raspberry flavours.
1996: Ten years later, Christophe Adam, the master of the eclair, joined forces with Fauchon. After learning the art of the pastry chef, he rose to the position of executive chef in 2008. He can be credited with bringing the concept of the trendy éclair to Fauchon stores.
2016: Fauchon celebrtes its 130th anniversary. The flagship store in Paris's Place de la Madeleine has been renovated for the occasion, with ten months of work required to overhaul the two-story 450 square meter palace of fine fare. The store is home to Fauchon's historic flagship departments, with gourmet, pastry, wine, chocolate and sweets, and tea sections.
2018: Fauchon will open its first hotel, with 54 rooms, including 22 suites. It's already hoping for five-star status. ― AFP-Relaxnews
