A Taste of Paris began not in France, but right here in the Philippines — born from a family's love for French baking and the warmth of Filipino hospitality. Our founder, Élise Marceau-Santos, was the daughter of a French pastry chef and a Filipina entrepreneur from Batangas. Her parents met in Paris in the late 1970s, where her mother was working as a cultural exchange student and her father was apprenticing under a renowned Parisian boulanger. Their shared passion for food, family, and craft formed the foundation of the bakery we know today.
Élise grew up between two worlds: summers spent visiting her father's relatives near Montmartre, learning to fold croissant dough and decorate tarts, and the rest of the year in the Philippines, surrounded by her mother's family traditions — tablea hot chocolate, bibingka at dawn, and gatherings where food was always at the heart of every celebration. From this blend of cultures, she developed a vision: to bring the artistry of Parisian baking to the Philippines, while keeping the warmth, friendliness, and generosity of Filipino culture.
In 2003, Élise returned to the Philippines for good, carrying her family's handwritten recipes, a handful of vintage baking tools, and a dream that had been simmering since childhood. She opened a small shop on a quiet corner street, offering only a few classic pastries: croissants, pain au chocolat, rustic sourdough, and a humble coconut-vanilla cake inspired by her two heritages. Customers immediately noticed something different — the lightness of the pastries, the authenticity of the techniques, and the care put into every piece.
Word spread quickly. Within months, A Taste of Paris became known not just for its baked goods, but for its philosophy: bake with patience, serve with heart, and never compromise craftsmanship. As the bakery grew, Élise trained local bakers in traditional French methods, ensuring that every creation carried the same dedication to quality.
Today, A Taste of Paris proudly stands as a symbol of two cultures coming together. We honor French baking traditions while celebrating Filipino creativity and community. Every loaf, pastry, and cake is crafted the way Élise was taught — slowly, intentionally, and with respect for the generations before her.