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Neolith: All Day, Petit Dejeuner

Neolith is specified throughout the interior of master pâtissier Cédric Grolet’s first stand-alone patisserie and bakery.

Cédric Grolet is a chef who needs no introduction. As famous across the world as he is in his native France, the master pâtissier has won plaudits and accolades from all quarters of the culinary profession for his singular approach to pastry.

Grolet’s painstakingly crafted confections have earned him international repute, particularly his ‘Trompe L’oeil’ desserts, which accurately mimic freshly-plucked fruit, and his celebrated Rubik’s Cube cake, the subject of many a media spread.

A stand-alone boutique

This creative flair and artistic ambition extend beyond gastronomy, translating themselves to Cédric’s other great passion, interior design. Having overseen the design and renovation of his apartment, he was keen to be as hands-on as possible when it came to defining the concept behind his latest project, Cédric Grolet Opéra.

Having previously opened a patisserie in the boutique hotel, Le Meurice, where Grolet has been head pastry chef since 2012, Opera is his first stand-alone boutique, located on Avenue de l’Opéra in Paris’s chic Gaillon neighbourhood.

While Grolet’s famous pastries remain firmly on Opéra’s menu, this boulangerie-patisserie goes further, offering customers even more. Branching out into breads and brunch, his new establishment offers everything from deliciously fresh sandwiches to exquisite artisan chocolates. A dining room on the 1st floor with a central bar even allows customers to experience the crafting of these extra special pastries first hand.

Superior performance qualities

The décor needed to deliver an outstanding aesthetic statement, providing a backdrop against which his gastronomy would stand out, while also being highly practical and able to withstand the rigours of a professional kitchen and busy tea salon.

Having previously worked with Neolith® surfaces, he was keen to continue the relationship with the pioneering Sintered Stone brand.

The modest space measures roughly 300 square meters and when approached from the outside, vast windows across both levels immediately immerse the passer-by into Grolet’s world.

Upon entering the space, customers’ attentions are immediately drawn to the bright white left-hand wall, adorned with an eye-catching golden mural.

To the right rustic limestone has been used to create a juxtaposition between organic and manmade, referencing the quality of the natural ingredients Cedric uses and how his team interpret these into his signature pastries.

This provides the backdrop for two distinctive counters, one of which has been specified in Iron Frost to provide contrast to the second darker counter, thus highlighting the two sides of the business, bakery and patisserie.

Neutral beauty

Moving to the first-floor sit-in diners are invited to relax a peruse a diverse menu with both sweet and savoury offerings. This ever-changing menu incorporates seasonal ingredients and novelties. Here a circular counter is clad in swirling Krater while small tables throughout feature the calming grey tones of Zaha Stone. Even the colours of the chairs have been carefully chosen to pick out tones from the tabletops.

The workspace in the basement, known as the laboratory, is where most of the baking is done behind the scenes has also been given the Sintered Stone treatment, where Calacatta adorns the walls. This regal looking surface evokes classical Italian marble, traditionally the pastry chef’s go to surface. It playfully nods to the patisserie’s craft while offering superior performance qualities to the stone it pays homage to.

The overall building heritage remains in keeping throughout and can be seen via the distinguished parquet flooring throughout as well as the discrete panelling either side of the seating area. A neutral ceramic style design covers the end wall, picking out the neutral grey and beige tones used throughout the project.

Minimal yet stylish

Commenting on his choice of materials for Opera’s interiors, Cedric says, “We wanted to create a sophisticated and fairly minimal aesthetic, not brash and showy, but emphasising soft white, grey and black tones. All elements of the space needed to be visually pleasing but not so bold as to detract from the real stars of the show, our bakers and patissiers.”

He continues, “I wanted to collaborate with Neolith again, having specified the material extensively throughout my home. The surfaces are so strong and robust, they don’t wear, looking as good as the day they were installed. This is hugely important when you’re working on them day in day out. They are perfect for pastry work as they possess a low porosity which means less friction. High scratch resistance also makes them preferred surfaces for more complex techniques where ultra-smooth, undamaged surfaces are essential, such as tempering chocolate or sugar work.

“Furthermore, in culinary and retail spaces, maintaining the highest levels of hygiene is vital, not just in the current climate but any time. What’s great about Neolith is you can use strong cleaning agents on it and simply wipe it down, ensuring a sparkling, sanitary surface which still looks fabulous.”

A man of many talents

Cédric is not one to rest on his laurels, “Over the past five years I’ve travelled the world, sharing my knowledge and training many patissiers. My latest project is the opening of a pastry school where I’ll have the opportunity to truly express my philosophy, energy, creativity and aspirations. I’ve built a great relationship with Neolith and am extremely proud of what we have achieved together. I hope to work with them again on this, and all future projects.”

All Neolith surfaces are 100% natural and manufactured in a carbon neutral environment.  The material appropriate for any professional or residential surfacing application. It is also one of the safest and most hygienic materials available, without compromising on performance and visual appeal.

Neolith. The safe, sustainable surfacing solution.

To find out more about Neolith’s range of patterns, finishes, formats and thicknesses click here.


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