Finding inspiration is not always easy. And yet, you have to know how to constantly renew yourself if you want your business to last. Even if you specialise in a particular theme, like Pierre Hermé and his macaroons, you have to adapt to new trends while maintaining your brand and your originality. Here are some tips for finding inspiration.
Listen to your customers
Your customers are precious. They buy your designs and they generate your company’s turnover at the same time. It’s a good idea to listen to their feedback and opinions. For example, if one of your creations is a hit, you should definitely keep it. The recipe can then be adapted to the season or to events such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day or Christmas.
Don’t hesitate to ask customers what they thought of a recipe or what they would like to see in your shop window. This approach often holds many surprises that can be a very interesting source of inspiration.
Get informed about new trends
To find inspiration, you should also take the time to find out about current trends. These trends are often very revealing of the expectations of customers. To find out about them, you can sometimes just leaf through a specialised magazine such as Journal du Pâtissier, Hôtellerie Restauration, Fou de Pâtisserie, Thuries or even La Toque. Paper version or online version, the articles are the same!
Your suppliers’ catalogues are also very useful! At Chocolatree, we offer you a complete and rich catalogue with many references as well as displays to give you ideas. Our products are available online (you can add them to a basket and place an order) and to find inspiration, our Instagram account will accompany you. Visit us at @chocolatree_decor!
See what’s out there
Of course, you should also get out and see what’s being done elsewhere. Take the time to discover the pastry shops in your neighbourhood, town or village. Test your competitors’ products, treat yourself to a top chef’s dessert. All these actions will allow you to take stock of the competition and of course to get ideas for new recipes and new visuals.
If you don’t live in Paris, go and visit the artisans of influence. Pierre Hermé, Christophe Michalak and even the media-friendly Cyril Lignac all have shops in the heart of the capital. There are also must-see establishments such as Des Gâteaux et du Pain run by Claire Damon, La Pâtisserie des Rêves created by Philippe Conticini and now run by Daniel Mercier, and Angelina.
Sometimes you have to go further afield to find inspiration. A trip abroad, an exhibition, a film, a book… Gastronomy is everywhere. Take the famous novel Tokyo Delights, which inspired the film of the same name. It has brought Dorayakis back into fashion, a Japanese pastry that is the pride of the Franco-Japanese pastry shop Tomo in Paris.
It’s up to you to imagine your own creations by bringing a little of your life and your discoveries into it.