Food Scoop: Belgian Patisserie Debailleul To Open in Mumbai

It’s a little known luxury food chain outside of Europe and Japan, but those who’ve eaten there swear by its line of chocolates and pastries. Debailleul, the storied Belgian patisserie that was founded in 1983, will open its first India outpost in late January, 2011 in Prabhadevi. Brought here by Writer Lifestyle (it’s a subsidiary of moving company Writer Corporation), the 1,000 sq. ft. space will be operated exactly like Debailleul outposts outside of Belgium—everything from the chocolates to pastries to breads and sorbets will be imported from its central kitchen in Brussels, with nothing made locally. Karen de Souza, business manager of Writer Lifestyle, who has worked under Michelin-starred chef Yves Mattagne in Brussels, tells us that it’s Debailleul’s unique forumlation of shock freezing everything that allows even breads like brioche and croissants to be shipped to its outlets across the world (they operate about nine in Japan alone, where it’s something of a cult favourite). For the Mumbai store,  there will be five products lines: chocolates, ice creams and sorbets, pastries (gateaux, tarts, macarons), breads (broiche, croissant, pain au chocolate), and porcelain, which will be introduced at a later date. Though there will be limited seating for about nine people, Debailleul will mainly operate as a take-away, delivery and catering outlet. Founded by Marc Debailleul, who was awarded the “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” (the highest award given to a chef, translating into “best craftsmen”), Debailleul is known for its artistic, intricately decorated pastries, often working with fashion designers, stylists and graphic artists to come up with their seasonal product lines (their creative director Reinhilde Gielen spent 18 years in the fashion industry). The Mumbai store will be followed by one in Delhi, and more around the country. Prices will range from Rs90 for macarons to Rs3,000 for full cakes.