Robineau Patisserie takes on world of chocolate

Jan 5 2010 by Karen Dent, The Journal

A SMALL business known for its wedding cake designs has branched out into handmade chocolates as part of an expansion which has created two jobs.

Robineau Patisserie, which decorated the wedding cake for Dragons’ Den star and Darlington entrepreneur Duncan Bannatynes’ nuptials, opened the online chocolate wing of the business before Christmas.

The Darlington firm is run by husband and wife team Jane and Frederic Robineau, who are both trained chocolatiers.

Mr Robineau said: “The business is doing well, and we felt it was time to expand to enable us to grow.

“We have developed a new website enabling customers to view our range of chocolates, the entire range of celebration cake designs and also our wonderful handmade patisserie.”

Although the business has been open for more than two years, it is mainly known for its wedding cakes and pastries Mrs Robineau said: “People don’t realise how much more we do. Expanding the business through the website is an ideal way to get the message across.”

The couple are going for luxury with their handmade chocolates, using pure fruit purees and ingredients from Madagascar, Java and Papua New Guinea.