C’est magnifique holiday with French Bread Oven

French desserts from local bakeries seemed to lack authenticity and the flavor of a traditionally trained French baker. So, when Jean and Ingvild Espic took over French Bread Oven in August 2000, their family tradition of fresh baked desserts and pastries quickly formed lines outside the bakery doors.

“We’re about personal service,” quips Ingvild about her family’s sweet success. “In the winter, people come together and are friends here, so it’s very social.”

Located in the St. Andrew’s Square Plaza off U.S. 41 in East Naples, the French Bread Oven’s quaint café atmosphere greets visitors who can chat over coffee and croissants at the tables and benches outside. Or, they can devour smaller delicacies such as tropezienne, a slice of heaven with two layers of a light brioche cake dusted with sugar and filled with French pastry cream. This treat is originally from the city of Saint Tropez, in Provence.

The Espics trained in different bakeries, and Jean draws his experience from France, while Ingvild’s heritage is Norwegian.

“He trained for five years when he was 14 years old in France, and he was in the Le Companion de Debut, (a culinary program) where he trained in five different cities in France.”

Once Jean completed his training, he merged detailed recipes from those regions, famous for masterful creations, which he bakes today at French Bread Oven.

Currently, Ingvild is completing her master’s degree online from Norway, while managing their family business.

“It’s all in Jean’s head. It’s a big data bank. He can make anything that is French,” Ingvild says, as her husband loads large ovens with fresh dough for the farmer’s market at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, to sell on Saturday mornings. In peak season, they sell more than 400 loaves of bread at the market, located at 3901 Davis Blvd.

Marco couple visits often

The Wiercinski’s, Ben and Barbara from Marco Island, make weekly trips to pick up rolls and baked items for their dinners. A retired chef, Ben knows how to cook, but leaves the baking up to the experts.

“We use their rolls and pastries during the week,” says Barbara, as she greets Jean in the kitchen while he prepares more bread to bake.

“It’s authentic and I like the way they bake here; it’s great,” she adds. Barbara is looking forward to her four grandchildren coming for Christmas dinner this year and is taking advantage of French Bread Oven’s desserts. She has selected an authentic French baked dessert to serve along with her homemade meal.

French desserts that deliver

Some of French Bread Oven’s desserts include a Frasier cake, with layers of cream and a marzipan top, which can serve a dinner party of four people to more than 60.

Or there is a traditional Neapolitan, a crispy cake with custard and cream, and Choux la crème, which are cream puffs filled with whipped cream, alongside cookies and tarts for a quick dessert.

Croque em bouche cake, a classical wedding cake in France, can also be a tall centerpiece for a Christmas dinner table. This almond and caramel flavored dessert is shaped like a Christmas tree, and Jean can top it with fanciful roses for special occasions.

In customary French form, the Bush de Noel, meaning “log of Christmas,” can be ordered, instead of baking this dessert from scratch. This layered dessert can come in a variety of forms, including ice cream filled or cream filled.

French Bread Oven’s Bush de Noel represents traditions found in regions of Provencal, France, where families ventured into the forest to cut wood for their fires, singing together as they set out for their Yule log. This log is a tradition in Ingvild’s Nordic region, where drinking by the fire during Christmas warmed everyone up during cold winter months.

“We have many flavors to choose from, such as dark chocolate, mocha, Gran Marnier and vanilla,” explains Ingvild about these specialty Christmas logs, which are made to order by her husband.

Baking for Three King’s Day Celebration

“We’re one of the only bakeries to bake the special Galette de Rois,” says Ingvild of this grand cake, with an angel tucked inside, representing the Bible story of three wise men who traveled to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus. Celebrated on Jan. 6, this tradition is often celebrated by Spanish Catholics.

“We celebrate it every year at my sister-in-law’s in Orlando,” says Ramon Gonzalez, who orders this cake each year for his family. “Once they cut into it, whoever gets the baby angel gets good luck for the rest of the year. If (a kid) gets the angel, they get the good luck for the year, and their parents get to host the party the following year,” Gonzalez says of his family’s Three King’s Day Celebration. “It’s a pretty big cake, and it’s more like a big bread.”

Breads and cakes such as the French Bread Oven’s elaborate alligator bread, turtle-shaped breads and various rolls add a unique centerpiece to any dining room table.

“We recommend they order or come in early for special orders for pickup,” says Ingvild. The Oven can cater to those who want a special dessert of any size.

“Some people come in twice a month and they buy baked goods and freeze it, while others buy fresh every day,” explains Ingvild.

Jean’s parents, Collette and Roger, often work at the cash register to greet customers and prepare orders each day with a smile.

Shopping for French gifts and flavors

If you have a difficult holiday shopping list this year, you can find specially made purses hailing from Provencal, France, along with hand-carved olive wood utensils for serving up salads at the Christmas table. Collectible dolls from France complement hand-made table covers, too.

Herbs de Provence is a unique spice offered at French Bread Oven. This flavorful condiment can be brushed on to any fish, chicken or meat dish to add a French feel to any holiday meal.

Those looking for a French lunch while holiday shopping can select a quiche at the bakery in the afternoons. “We have lunch available, and we’re waiting for another baker from Paris, France, so we’ll have even more, such as different kinds of French bread pizza,” says Ingvild.

Source for traditions: www.holidayinsights.com