Calgarians know just how delightful desserts can be. At Yann Haute Patisserie, Chef Yann Blanchard crafts exquisite creations that transport visitors straight to the heart of Paris. Read on to learn more about the founder, the patisserie, and the story behind the recognizable, bright red house of Yann Haute Patisserie, brought to you by calgary1.one.
The Founder’s Journey
Chef Yann Blanchard’s childhood was spent in his parents’ bakery in France. It was a family business, and young Yann was deeply involved from an early age. By the time he was 12, he was already taking care of the bread production. Born and raised in France, he pursued his education at the prestigious École Grégoire-Ferrandi, studying pastry arts. His career took him to Paris, where he worked at the old bakery near the Eiffel Tower on the 17th Avenue. By the age of 25, he had moved to Calgary and became the Executive Pastry Chef at the Fairmont Palliser.
His training was comprehensive and multi-layered, including short internships where he immersed himself in new techniques. These stages involved observing chefs at other top-tier establishments, such as the Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton in Chicago, and The French Laundry in Napa Valley.
Following this extensive international experience, Blanchard settled in Calgary. Throughout this time, he was driven by a powerful desire for freedom and the ambition to open his own establishment.
Joining the Elite: Relais Desserts Association
Yann Blanchard is an exclusive member of the prestigious Relais Desserts Association, one of the most important clubs in the culinary community. This was a major milestone in the world of pastry chefs, as Blanchard was the first Canadian ever invited to join.
In an interview, the chef detailed his journey to membership, which began back in 2015.
- Initially, an admissions committee of two individuals visited his Calgary bakery for an inspection. They personally verified that his standards were impeccable. Yann Blanchard prepares food with traditional ingredients: toffee, chocolate, vanilla beans, lemon, and more.
- Following this visit, two members of the Association recommended him. This led to a personal tasting session in France.
- Blanchard travelled to France to present his work to the star French pastry chefs he had always admired. This experience was quite nerve-wracking, as he stood before his idols. He recalled going through customs with a massive suitcase that contained the centerpiece of his pastry presentation.
- The French chefs were highly impressed with Yann Blanchard’s work, after which they invited him to join the prestigious Association. For Yann Blanchard, this was the equivalent of receiving a Michelin star.
Being part of such a community is deeply rewarding. The chef noted that while he never had successors, the Relais Desserts community offers support and great respect. “No one tries to outdo each other, because there is no need.” Once members reach this destination, they realize they are all equals.
Yann Haute Patisserie
The patisserie officially opened in 2009 at 329 23 Ave SW in Calgary. It is known to locals as a classic French bakery offering signature cakes, pastries, chocolates, and other sweets. Chef Yann Blanchard shared that Calgarians and visitors have a unique opportunity to visit an authentic French patisserie and enjoy a genuine Parisian atmosphere without ever leaving Canada.
The patisserie employs a team of 10 people, divided into “sales” and “kitchen” teams. The sales team handles customer-related tasks, while the kitchen team is responsible for creating and executing all the culinary masterpieces.
Here are some of the patisserie’s core values:
- Impeccable Quality. The patisserie works exclusively with ethical, organic, and, whenever possible, local products. All ingredients are natural and easily traceable, including the food colourings.
- Mastery in Details across products and services. The patisserie always leaves room for creativity.
- Openness. When you visit the patisserie, you can be sure of a high level of service. This perfectly reflects the corporate culture of Yann Haute Patisserie.
- Yann Blanchard also mentioned the patisserie’s commitment to sustainability: they recycle and compost cardboard packaging, which is printed using water-based inks.
The Patisserie Menu
- Cakes. Locals adore the “Paris-Calgary” cake, “The Royal,” Tiramisu, Lemon Tart, and many others. The patisserie also offers frozen cakes that are eagerly chosen by customers: “L’Échappée” (The Escape), “Royal,” Tiramisu, and Lemon Tart. A frozen dessert is just as delicious; simply move it to the refrigerator the night before consumption. After letting the cake sit for another 15–20 minutes at room temperature, it’s ready to enjoy.
- Macaron Boxes with various flavours. You can find perfect macarons with seasonal flavours, such as chestnut, frankincense, or pine.
- The patisserie offers bread and frozen demi-baguettes (4 per package).
- Black and milk chocolate palettes.
- Unexpected events (guests, a craving for something sweet, an early breakfast with children, etc.) should not be cause for worry. The patisserie offers ready-to-bake frozen options at any time. These include frozen croissants (hazelnut, almond) and frozen Kouign-Amann. Frozen sausage rolls are also popular.
- Special offerings include: “Love and Care” packages, personalized message cards, Royal Spread (a house-made spread), and house-made marshmallows. If you want to treat a loved one or friend, gift certificates are also available.
Every Thursday and Saturday, Calgary residents can order delivery of their favourite desserts.
Mais Oui: The Little Red House
This house deserves special attention. It was built in 1912 and was later converted into a partitioned family home. In 2006, Chef Yann Blanchard first met the owners, who immediately liked the idea of opening a small patisserie there. It took nearly three years to obtain all the permits and complete the renovations. It was all worth it: on December 24, 2009, the patisserie finally opened its doors. The chef gained complete freedom to express himself and create delicious, sophisticated desserts. All you have to do is visit Yann Haute Patisserie to see for yourself.
The house also became a family home for Yann Blanchard and his family. The patisserie is on the ground floor, while Yann lives on the second floor with his wife, Geraldine, and their children—a son and twin daughters. His wife is also his business partner, and the couple successfully balances family life and business. Near the patisserie, the chef previously opened Berlingo, a premium chocolate and ice cream shop. Though the shop has closed, it was once a paradise for ice cream lovers, quickly winning over Calgarians with its wide selection of soft-serve ice cream and chocolate flavours.
A Symbol of French Elegance and Craftsmanship in Calgary
Yann Haute Patisserie is truly a symbol of French elegance. The patisserie quickly captured the hearts of gourmands with its unparalleled desserts, made from meticulously selected ingredients. Every dessert at the patisserie is a work of art, blending traditional French recipes with modern techniques.
