Looking to add an oo-la-la factor for your table this holiday season? Pick up some special desserts from Aux Petits Delices, 162 East Lancaster Ave, Wayne. Aux Petits Delices means small delights and these sensational desserts will make your holiday party the talk of the year.
Aux Petit Delices concocts homemade bagettes, crossiants, foie gras (which is cooked in a slow cooker with cognac), sorbet, gelato, an array of decadent french pastries, award winning cakes, a collection of international cheeses, and gluten-free items. One major difference between other bakeries and this one is a confectionery staple– sugar. Aux Petit makes sure not to overdo it on the sugar, which give their treats a uniqueness. They use the finest ingredients from around the world and their work areas are filled with French ovens and Italian chocolate making machines.
They sell 12 varieties of chocolates and many are hand decorated with beautiful designs. These chocolates run $44 a pound, and can be easily shipped as great holidays gifts. Be sure to try the Espellette chocolate that has a dark chocolate cream with Armagnac brandy and traditional Piment d’Espeltte that can only be found in the Basque region in France.
Executive Chef and Owner, Patrick Gauthrom hails from Burgundy, France and has been studying the art of desserts since his apprenticeship at Patisserie Bouche in Beuane at age 14. After that he held many prominent positions throughout France’s culinary regions, Geneva, and at Le Bec-Fin in Philadelphia. In 1987, he created Aux Petits Delices and has been seducing customers with his masterpieces ever since. John Mckee is a well renowned pastry chef who caught the attention of many four star restaurants and joined Aux Petits this past September. He has a passion for pastries, has over 30 years industry experience, and was the Executive Pastry Chef for Masa’s Restaurant in San Francisco.
The customers are not only always right at this patisserie, but very often are the inspirations for new creations and the executive chefs even keep a customer suggestion chart in the back. New items, tweaks, and flavors are born from these suggestions and are often inspired by customers’ trips around the world. One customer moved to upstate New York a few years back and returns every six months for a Napoleon fix (he makes sure to pre-order).
“We’ll be out and there was someone who came up to Patrick pretty recently and said ‘You made my daughter’s wedding’. They were here from the beginning and have ordered throughout the 23 years. Sometimes it is passed to the next generation, we have done cakes for a daughter and we’ve done her parents’ wedding. ” said Nina Gauthrom.
The Christmas Specials include a Triple Chocolate, Raspberry, and Hazelnut Yule Logs that come in 8” ($27), 12” ($38), 16” ($49), and 21” ($62). Assortments of holiday cookie trays and boxes of homemade chocolates are also available. They even offer a Crouquembouche, which is a holiday-decorated pyramid of caramelized cream puffs ($7.25 a person).
Customers can place orders online at auxpetits.com, by calling the store (it gets crazy right before the holidays though) at 610-971-0300, emailing [email protected], or just stopping in the store. They recommend knowing what you want ahead of time and keep in mind the number of adults and kids attending your holiday party. Some desserts are hearty and fresh enough and customers don’t have to necessarily buy all their items the day before a holiday. The staff is very helpful and can offer tips for which desserts are best for those who are traveling (bigger pieces if you are flying). Depending on the year, the place can get quite packed and crowds snake around the corner. The deadline for ordering is Monday, December 20th and they recommend ordering early. Christmas Eve orders are ready for pick-up after 9:30 am and the store will be close at 4pm on Christmas Eve. So remember, go French this holiday season with Aux Petits Delices and Bon Appetit!
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