Small Business in focus…
Maison François making life a little sweeter
─ French-Guyanese Chocolatier opens store
DPI, Guyana, Friday, August 10, 2018
Chocolate has that natural power of turning a bad day into a better one, and Chocolatier, Linden Francois is creating decadent and healthy chocolates right here in Guyana.
His establishment, the Maison François, is located in the City Mall, on Regent Street.
Francois described the variety of products that can be found in his business. “You can find all types of chocolate. We have dairy free. All of my chocolates are made with natural ingredients. There are no chemicals or sugar. I have many flavours, the dairy free one is lemon curd and orange marmalade made with fresh orange peel.”
The 30-year-old said his treats cater to all persons, even those who are following a healthy lifestyle. “Seventy percent of the chocolate is dark chocolate from Belgium and my cacao (butter) is from Belgium too.”
After operating in the culinary field for over eight years in Paris, London and Dubai; the French born-Guyanese national, shared his reason for moving back to Guyana and starting up his business.
He said, “I was born in France, but my mother is Guyanese and this is my home too. Growing up I always wanted to open a three-rosette restaurant here; but then I thought there were so many restaurants here, why not try something different. I wanted to be the first person to open a chocolate-eatery in Guyana.”
Francois said while there were doubts about whether his business would receive a positive response front the Guyanese public, nonetheless, it has been overwhelming.
Internationally certified by a Culinary School in Paris France, he specialises in sugar, chocolate, pastry and wedding cakes.
“If you want your name to be written on one of the chocolates, all of that can be arranged. For persons who prefer white chocolate; if you put in an order or visit me, I sell from a kilo and above, because white chocolate is not natural and it can be expensive,” Francois explained.
In the future, the young Chocolatier plans to open more outlets across Guyana. “So, anywhere you go you will see Maison Francois, my name and my product.”
The prices for his products are economical since he sells 100 grams of chocolate for $1,500 or a chocolate bar for just $300.
By: Crysta Stoll
Image: Kareem Pieters