Don’t you just love Gerbeaud? Then here’s some sweet news for you: their otherworldly cakes crossed the Hungarian border and didn’t stop until they got to Tokyo. That’s right, the prestigious Hungarian confectionery and patisserie opened its first foreign outlet in the Japanese capital city! We caught up with managing director Katalin Pintér and learnt that the owners have their eyes set on further foreign climbs…
Why Tokyo?
We’ve been cherishing the idea of opening a patisserie in Japan for some time, as Gerbeaud was quite a success there during our company tours of the country. Also, four years ago, a Japanese businessman, Mr. Ishibashi, visited Gerbeaud during his visit to Budapest and was enchanted by the atmosphere, cakes and long traditions of the shops. The first steps were largely due to the enthusiasm of Mrs. Kósa, also known as Sinike, who was among the first who embraced the plan. That’s how the long negotiation process started between Mr. Ishibashi (ICube) and us. We, the Gerbeaud Patisserie and Confectionery, provide the license and the know-how.
To what extent is the Tokyo cake shop similar to the one on Vörösmarty tér?
The interior design entirely reflects the atmosphere of the Budapest shop. The furniture and accessories have all been shipped from Hungary; for example, the cake counter is an exact copy of the one on Vörösmarty tér. As for patisserie, we offer classic Hungarian cakes and snacks, such as Gerbeaud, dobos and Esterházy cake, pozsonyi kifli, Somlói sponge cake and pogácsa. But we’ve also tried to suit Japanese needs, meaning that we sell smaller slices and portions there.
What other differences are there?
The patisserie itself is smaller, only 120 m2 and the Budapest shop boasts a wider selection.
Do Japanese or Hungarian confectioners make the sweet treats?
The Japanese confectioner, who manages the Tokyo shop, spent more than a year in the Gerbeaud Factory, learning the tricks of the trade. However, one of the chief confectioners of Gerbeaud supervises everything – he’ll spend six months helping the Japanese. There’ll always be somebody from Hungary there, a confectioner or a manager, to make sure everything’s going just fine.
How did the opening ceremony on June 17th go?
People were lining up in front of the shop on the day and there hasn’t been a single table empty since we opened! I think Japanese people are very open to Hungarian culture and are eager to see and taste Hungarian fancy cakes. As the Tokyo shop is relatively small, they usually choose to take away.
What is the favorite cake of the Japanese?
We have been pleasantly surprised that classic Hungarian cakes – Dobos and Gerbeaud cake – sell the best.
If someone has never tried Gerbeaud’s cakes, which one would you recommend them to try?
Well, definitely the traditional cakes and of course, the all-chocolatey Gerbeaud cake.
Are you planning to open more patisseries, confectioneries or restaurants in Japan or elsewhere?
We’ll open a new sweet-shop at the end of this year, also in Tokyo, where we’ll offer Gerbeaud bonbons and chocolates. And, yes, it is among our plans to open more shops around the world, so our famous cakes, pastries and sweets can get to more and more sweet-tooths!
Interview by Gabriella Emszt
Can’t go as far as Japan? Grab some local Gerbeaud goodness at:
Gerbeaud
1051 Bp., Vörösmarty tér 7.
MAP I. D4 (Budapest FUNZINE)
Tel.: +36.1.429.9020
www.gerbeaud.hu