"J'aime les macarons" is French for "I love macarons". Amanda McBeath, is proprietor and baker of J'aime les macarons, a boutique macaron bakery in Christchurch. Amanda first discovered her love of macarons during an overseas experience in Paris. Upon returning home to New Zealand, she went into cheffing and worked for a catering company, for which she executed many themed desserts. She enjoyed working with macarons in particular, due to the many possibilities of combinations, achieved by simply changing color and flavour. Amanda took a break from the professional world to have children, and then started playing with the idea of opening a macaron business. She first opened a stall at the Christchurch Farmers Market at Riccarton House in November of 2008. After gaining a popular following in just one year, she opened the J'aime les macarons shop on Norman's Road (Nov, 2009).
Amanda uses an Italian meringue and ground almonds to make the shell, and either a butter cream or chocolate ganache for the filling. She describes the event of biting into one of her macarons in a deconstructed manner - a slightly crispy crunch on the outside with a pillowy soft chewy layer on the inside. No matter how the experience unfolds in your mouth, you will undoubtedly agree that these macarons are simply melt-in-your-mouth spectacular!
Macarons can be purchased individually or in sets of six or twelve, and come in a variety of rotating flavours - from traditional vanilla, to passionfruit, lemon, rose, coffee, raspberry, and licorice. Sets of six or twelve come in lovely decorative box, making them a perfect treat or gift for tea/dinner parties. Amanda also enjoys putting together themed macarons and packaging concepts for holidays and special occasions, such as weddings and Valentines Day (as shown in the image above).
So if you haven't already discovered J'aime les macarons, pop into the Normans Road shop for a wee treat. I'm certain that once you do, you'll find it hard to stay away!
J'aime Les Macarons
9F Normans Road, Strowan, Christchurch
Opening hours: Tue to Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-2pm
oh patty, send some to your favorite person
ReplyDeleteoh patty, send some to your favorite person.
ReplyDelete