It seems like everyone is mad for macarons at the moment and they are just perfect as treats for your wedding! This week for ‘Behind The Door With’, I’m having a chat with Josephine Acker from By Josephine, a charming patisserie on Sydney Road in Brunswick, Victoria. “I’ve always loved and lived in Brunswick; the fact that the store was across from Albert St Food and Wine pushed me in my decision! I knew this restaurant attracted many foodies from all over Melbourne, so the location was very good and also being in the middle of a wedding precinct was a big plus considering our main focus on macarons”, says Josephine.
Josephine moved to Australia from France in 2009 and decided to perfect the art of French macarons by using her family recipe and the cookery skills she learnt from her Aunt. As a former florist, she used her passion for beautiful scents, colours and flavours to create these delicate little pieces of sweet heaven. “I think that experimenting is the most exciting part of the business; it’s not always easy to find the time and the space in your mind to do, so but it’s definitely the most exciting part” says Josephine.
By Josephine became famous for being authentically French- and all the macaron flavours are renowned for being very natural as well as adventurous! Of course there are classic favourites like raspberry and salted caramel, but I love that Josephine also makes flavours like violet, Earl Grey tea and black sesame. Josephine started supplying cafes and catering companies with her macarons and it wasn’t long before she decided to open her own shop – and By Josephine was born!
As I walk down bustling Sydney Road I’m struck by what an oasis of calm By Josephine really is. A wide windowed, elegant white shop front acts as a frame for the beautiful jewel like treats inside. You can’t miss the brightly filled display case with rows upon rows of macarons and a selection of tarts, cakes and treats all made in-house. There’s a savoury menu too and a display of take home treats such as jars of salted caramel and pink meringues.
One wall of the store is painted vibrant purple and showcases a beautiful display of vintage cake plates and the white panelling on the other walls really gives that French ‘Marie Antoniette era’ feel. The shop was designed by French interior designer Anne Sophie Poirier and Josephine tells me she did most of the shop fitout herself, putting together her ideal commercial kitchen out the back. Some vibrant green indoor plants cascade down shelves and a display of giant teacups make me think of the tea party from Alice in Wonderland; this truly is a store from a fairytale!
Josephine tells me that macarons are always a hit at weddings and that they can package one or two up in boxes with ribbon for a chic wedding favour for guests to take home. They also look stunning piled up as a macaron tower in place of a wedding cake. I think this is especially perfect if your menu has a plated dessert as you can serve the macarons with tea or coffee afterwards.
Obviously with such a feminine and special store, By Josephine offers a high-tea full of savouries, cakes, drinks and of course macarons which is proving popular for kitchen teas. Why not go one step further and book one of Josephine’s famous classes and learn to make your own macarons!
Images by By Josephine, Sasufi and Gold and Grit Photography
Ms Chinoiserie Says: Bon appetit! Such a gorgeous shop; I’d like to try all the delicious flavours – the black sesame sounds irresistible!
About Amelia Waddell of Make Your Day Wedding Styling: I’m a wedding stylist and proud store owner who loves to chat weddings with everyone and anyone! I love to talk shop with other business owners (particularly over some chocolate cake!) and am the first to try and have a sticky beak behind the scenes of any event. My free time is spent ‘investigating’ new cafes, stores and events.
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