Some brand names have become so popular and familiar that they are now synonymous with the products they represent. Gardenia is just one of those. When you say loaf bread, you almost always mean Gardenia, right? But Gardenia, from now on, won't just mean bread, but also "bakery'" and "cafe". That's right! Gardenia Bakeries Philippines, Inc., (GBPI) has opened three neighborhood bakeries in Pasig, Muntinlupa, and Cabuyao, Laguna. Last Sunday, the company also formally opened its first artisanal bakeshop-cafe that serves really good breads and pastries, sandwiches, and coffee. I was there to cover the event for our news agency, likewise for my blog. I was happy that another good place to have coffee and bread has opened to add to my list of favorites. During last Sunday's event, I, together with the other media personalities present,
got to try their bestsellers. At once, I knew what my top favorite among the baked products was.
Meanwhile, here are some photos I took during
the store blessing and opening:
got to try their bestsellers. At once, I knew what my top favorite among the baked products was.
Meanwhile, here are some photos I took during
the store blessing and opening:
 |
| A few minutes before the start of the opening program |
 |
| Store blessing |
 |
| Ms. Tessa Prieto-Valdes, the special guest, is flanked by GBPI president and general manager Simplicio Umali Jr. on her right and COO Tomas Rocamora on her left. (My apologies to the gentleman on the extreme left because I wasn't able to get his name. So sorry!) |
 |
| Inside the store |
 |
| Display of various breads and pastries with flavors from all over the world |
 |
| Ms. Tessa gets to taste Bakers Maison's offerings while exchanging stories with Mr. Umali and his daughter-in-law. |
 |
| This was my top choice - Triple Cheese Florentine. Delicious! |
 |
| Cappuccino pistachio croissant - this was the first one that I tasted. After this, my plate became such a mess with all the other breads that I tasted that I decided not to post the photos that followed. Haha! |
 | |||
| Coffee to wash down every bit of bread that I ate. The brew's good! |
Bakers Maison originated from New South Wales in Australia, where its first store was opened in 1998. In my interview with Gardenia Bakeries Phils., Inc. president and general manager Simplicio P. Umali, Jr. during last Sunday's opening, he explained to me how Gardenia Philippines, Inc. brought Bakers Maison to the Philippine shore as part of its expansion program and to satisfy its desire to offer Filipinos a higher level of enjoyment in consuming bread products.
"Bakers Maison is part of our company - QAF Group," he said. "We belong to the QAF Group in Singapore and QAF owns Bakers Maison in Australia, so we decided to bring Bakers Maison from Australia to the Philippines likewise, because their specialty is artisanal bread. Our specialty in Gardenia is only common loaf bread."
What sets Bakers Maison apart from other specialty bakeshops in the Philippines? Mr. Umali said it offers not just French-style breads but also an infusion of flavors from different countries.
"Basically, our operation will not be French. We will be bringing all the flavors from all over the world - the different types of bread from different parts of the world.. not just France but also from Austria, parts of Europe, Germany, Denmark, Holland, and then United Kingdom, America, also South America, Japan, even
some Asian flavors of bread," he said.
Later on, he added, Bakers Maison will also be using local flavors but for now, local flavors are mainly used in Gardenia products. The artisanal bakeshop at present, only uses a few local flavors, such as mango.
When I asked whether they intend to expand the bakery-cafe's menu to include other food items such as pasta, Mr. Umali said: "Our focus will always be on bread. "But sandwiches, yes, we will be expanding the menu on sandwiches. I think we now have almost 10 types of sandwiches and we intend to expand that as we go on..more sandwich flavors, moving away from the traditional sandwich flavors.. something that will enhance the experience of Filipinos in eating bread products."
During the store opening, Bakers Maison also introduced its interactive mobile application that allows users to see the complete list of its breads and pastries, promotions and rewards and even share feedback on the products.
Now isn't that cool? Try Bakers Maison, folks! It's at the second level of SM North Edsa's main building, near IMAX.
Happy eating!
