On May 24, after three long years of research, Stéphanie Cerrillo finally found what she calls “the right place” to set up this tea room she had dreamed of so much. As explained in an article we dedicated to her in February 2020, Stéphanie is a former student in the preparatory class of the Théophile Gautier high school in Tarbes, and was a banker in Paris… Nothing therefore destined her to make pastries! However, after 10 years in the capital, she decides to drop everything and return to the South-West where she obtains her pastry CAP in 2019. It is in Tarbes that she wishes to set up her project, “you know, this idea that we have in mind and that almost never materializes”. Well she did. This experience allows her, she says, “to rediscover French pastry, and it’s good! We had to share that with people”.
A place for everyone to have a light mind
The living room is therefore as Stephanie imagined. “There are two rooms, two atmospheres: the terrace and the indoor tables where people stop for a few moments to taste and leave, and the lounge area and library (self-service) where people stay, read, work, discuss.. The place is made so that everyone has a light mind. There are coloring pages for children so that people can come as a family. And then, I wanted something open so I installed a glass roof between the kitchen and the lounge area so that people can see me baking” says the manager of this place where the decoration is vintage and modern, made up of a maximum of objects and dishes from recovery.
In terms of products, there are both salty and sweet: snacks including a vegan proposal, pastries including a gluten-free cake, hot and cold drinks and of course the star product: the delicious cabbage! “Our productions are made with a maximum of local and organic ingredients as far as possible, and in the spirit of reasonableness with quantities to avoid waste as much as possible.”. She admits to basing herself on feedback from her clients before proposing new products: “this show is a bit like my lab”. Also, with the aim of making the place “atypical and allowing elevation”, it has called on artists (painter, photographer, graphic designer, etc.) who will give exhibitions from the start of the school year; and to writers who will come for readings and dedications.
Sophie Cerillo thanks the town hall of Tarbes as well as the agglomeration for the support they have provided for the creation of her project. The official inauguration will take place on Tuesday morning, September 27.
