Payard - Vendor Profile

Payard

 Francois Payard is a third generation French Pastry Chef born in Nice on July 16th, 1966. Francois cultivated his passion for the art of Pastry as a child in his grandfather's acclaimed shop, Au Nid des Friandises on the Riviera. He grew up surrounded by the delicious classic French pastry in the tradition carried on by his parents and grandparents for over fifty years.

In August of 1997 Francois' childhood dream of opening his own Patisserie & Bistro became a reality. Since Payard's conception, Francois has continued to strive to innovate, perfect, educate and contribute his ideas and passion to the field of pastry. In 1998 he was acknowledged for this by being awarded "Pastry Chef of the Year" by the Bon Appetit Food & Entertainment Awards and again in 2001 by the International Pastry Competition Committee-Beaver Creek. In July of 2004 Francois was honored with the prestigious Ordre du Merite Agricole, Medal of Honor by the French Government. We welcome you to discover and delight in Francois' favorite confections reminiscent of his grandfather's days.