King Soopers in Castle Rock is offering a taste of Paris, bringing authentic French pastries to its Promenade Parkway location. This innovative move marks the first Kroger store in the nation to feature La Famille Bakery, a concept designed to deliver genuine French baked goods to everyday shoppers. For residents south of Denver and beyond, the aroma of fresh croissants and the allure of delicate macarons are now part of the King Soopers experience in Castle Rock.
Jessica Trowbridge, corporate affairs manager at King Soopers, emphasizes the heart of this new offering: “Everything is made with butter and butter is love, and I think you taste that and feel that when you eat the food from this bakery.” This passion for quality and authentic ingredients is central to La Famille Bakery’s appeal.
The secret to La Famille’s authenticity lies in its partnership with Maison Kayser, a renowned fourth-generation family bakery from France. Frozen, all-natural items are shipped weekly directly from Paris Boulangerie Maison Kayser, ensuring that the pastries maintain their genuine French character. King Soopers is excited to welcome this established French family into their store, bringing a world of baking expertise to Castle Rock.
Quality is paramount at La Famille Bakery. Eschewing chemical shortcuts, the bakery embraces traditional methods. Mang Bawi Lian, the main chef at La Famille Bakery in King Soopers Castle Rock, explains the process: “They come in frozen. In here we thaw them overnight and then here’s our proofer. It takes one hour and 20 to 30 minutes.” This slow and careful approach allows the pastries to thaw and rise naturally, enhancing their flavor and texture. Each morning, the pastries are meticulously brushed with egg white and freshly baked, filling the King Soopers in Castle Rock with enticing aromas. Chef Lian highlights the sensory experience, “The flavor, the taste, the smell,” as key elements of the La Famille Bakery experience.
The selection at La Famille Bakery within King Soopers Castle Rock is a delightful journey through classic French pastry. Customers can indulge in baguettes, eclairs, macarons, and many other traditional favorites. Chef Lian, who personally samples the offerings, confidently declares, “I taste all of them and they’re amazing.” Customers are already echoing this sentiment, with many remarking that the pastries are comparable to those enjoyed in France itself. Chef Lian happily admits, “They say it’s the same as the one they taste in France,” and confesses his own daily enjoyment of the treats, “I eat them almost every day, to be honest!”
Castle Rock’s Promenade Parkway King Soopers was strategically chosen as the pilot location for La Famille Bakery due to its store size and consistently high customer traffic. While La Famille Bakery items replace some traditional Kroger bakery offerings and are positioned at a slightly higher price point, the authentic French experience has proven to be a significant draw. Since opening in November, the French pastries have been a resounding success with both shoppers and King Soopers staff in Castle Rock.
Looking ahead, the success of La Famille Bakery at the King Soopers Castle Rock location will be carefully evaluated. If the positive trend continues, there is exciting potential for this authentic French bakery concept to expand to other Kroger stores across the nation, bringing a taste of France to a wider audience. For now, residents of Castle Rock and visitors alike can savor the exquisite flavors of La Famille Bakery at their local King Soopers.
