Natalya Gerasimchuk and Her Eclair Kingdom

Anyone can find their calling in dancing, music, painting, or, in Natalia Gerasimchuk's case from Kiev, cooking delicious dishes. After graduating from the Taras Shevchenko University in Kiev with a degree in Economics, our heroine landed a job at a large construction company while pursuing her passion for culinary arts on the side.

Since childhood, Natalia assisted her mother in the kitchen. Her mother shared all her culinary secrets and taught her to love the cooking process. It was during those times that cooking started bringing her immense pleasure.

At some point, Natalia became fascinated with making desserts following Pierre Herme's recipes from his book, Le Larousse des Desserts. Some attempts were successful, while others not so much, but her preference leaned towards sweet dishes. Since then, Natalia has explored making a vast array of desserts, revisited numerous recipes and tips, continually honing her skills and knowledge in this creative process.

Natalia seizes any opportunity to whip up a delicious treat, whether it's for a friend's birthday, a party with friends, or just to pamper her family. Sometimes the process becomes so engrossing that hours or even nights fly by unnoticed, but it's all worth it. The dream of opening her small pastry shop gradually emerged, starting with producing the first goods in her home bakery.

From making that decision to the first orders, less than two months had elapsed. When a new idea surfaces and the drive to execute it arises, procrastination is not an option - action must be taken swiftly to avoid losing momentum. The concept was devised, and the project needed to be visualized on paper. For the logo design, Natalia consulted a professional designer who excelled at the task. The name "E'clair Little Artwork" came naturally. The idea was that eclairs, like miniature pieces of art, should be vibrant and trendy, not just standard cream puffs.

Natalia's friends often asked her why she chose eclairs. The answer was simple: despite the variety of cakes, cookies, and pastries, eclairs evoke a familiar childhood taste for everyone. Some bought these delicious pastries in stores, while others had them homemade by their mothers. The chocolate glaze and custard filling represent the classic eclair. However, her experiments yielded positive results and garnered praise. The first in a series of unique eclairs was the pistachio flavor, a hit among relatives who praised the new taste for long.

The experimentation continued with an extensive exploration of original recipes, pastry chef blogs, and even grandmother's recipes. Tastings persisted, resulting in the introduction of six flavors: two classics and four signature creations. But Natalia didn't stop there. Soon, spring novelties will be launched, along with two more dessert lines. And in time for Easter, a visually and taste-appealing Easter cake resembling a bird's nest has been unveiled.

A set of six eclairs (of various flavors or mix) is priced at 150 hryvnias, including delivery. Orders must be placed at least one day in advance, but contingency batches are available for special occasions.

When it comes to the quality of the ingredients used in the sweet treats, it's top-notch. Natalia herself adheres to a proper diet. This principle is reflected in her culinary creations. Suppliers of certified high-quality products were chosen. Flavors, taste enhancers, margarine, and preservatives - these are absent from the signature pastries of "E'clair Little Artwork."

Currently, negotiations for collaboration with various cafes and pastry shops are ongoing, where sweet enthusiasts will soon be able to indulge in the new creations. Looking ahead, the plan is to open her pastry shop called "Kingdom of Eclairs."

Reflecting on the beginnings, Natalia recalls having various concerns, especially regarding how people would perceive her innovation and whether there would be demand. Despite these initial doubts, everything turned out quite well. Judging by the numerous enthusiastic reviews, expressions of gratitude, and the increasing volume of orders - these are the best indicators of the enterprise's success.

Source: gloss.ua