La-Roche-sur-ForonAux vieux fournil rochois

Interview by Jeff Steiner with Rachel Baty owner of the bakery Aux vieux fournil rochois located in La Roche sur Foron France.
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Text of the interview:

Jeff: Hello Rachel.

Rachel: Hello.

Jeff: Can you tell us a little about your bakery?

Rachel: The bakery, it was my parents who bought it in 1969. The bakery was small and they expanded it. They made it flourish. In 1972 they created a tea room. In January 2006 I took over the bakery. We make bread, with have specialties, cakes, chocolates, lots of stuff.

Jeff: Can you explain some of the specialties of your bakery.

Rachel: The specialties, my father created in 1989 a cake ‘Le Rochois’ (In La Roche sur Foron residents are called rochois – male and rochoise - female) a cake that is patented. You can only find it in my bakery. It’s a creamy mix of pistachios and hazelnuts with a bottom made of almonds and it has had a great success. In fact it was once taken to the United States! I had a customer who took it there!

Jeff: You had a customer who took ...

Rachel: Who took it to the United States.

Jeff: Great! Can you explain the trinkets (fèves in the Galette des Rois - King cake) that you make?

Rachel: Every year we change the trinket themes, to say original. This year, I did different old quarters in La Roche sur Foron. It’s a reproduction from post cards.

Jeff: What is the name of your bakery?

Rachel: The name is “Aux vieux fournil rochois” The “fournil” is the place where bread is made, rochois because it’s in La Roche sur Foron and “vieux” because it’s an old bakery.

Jeff: Where do you come from?

Rachel: I was born in Thonon-Les-Bains, it’s 45 kilometers (28 miles) but I’m rochoise. I have always lived in La Roche sur Foron and I’m rochoise deep down and in my soul!

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