Where once there were no genuine French croissants and lemon tarts, Addis now boasts quite a few French patisseries serving the real thing!
Chez Jean Pierre is the latest one to open in Kazanchis. A French architect by profession, Jean Pierre Fasbeter fell in love with Ethiopia almost a decade ago on a visit and embarked upon the business of opening his own bakery in the heart of the city.
Jean Pierre hired Habtye Mamo as manager (formerly he worked in tourism). A French pastry chef came over and trained the Ethiopian chefs who are now adept at baking the French delicacies that Ethiopians and Ferengies seem to have developed a passion for. In addition to croissants, cakes and tarts, light lunch offerings are also on the menu from quiches to croissant sandwiches and more offerings will be added to the menu as time goes on.
The café is cosy and compact and definitely resembles the type of patisserie you might find strolling along a boulevard in Paris – there are some outdoor tables as well. Right from the start, Jean Pierre was intent on using as many local ingredients and produce as possible and he prides himself in sourcing local ingredients almost exclusively and partnering with top quality farms for dairy, fruits (strawberries and lemons) and vegetables. He admits to importing chocolate but that is about all. He also sells local honey from Abeesynia (What’s Out June 2023 edition).
Phone: 0913 616531
Location: Kazanchis: corner of Guinea Conakry Street, near SAS pharmacy