Pastry Chef in Puna - Hilo/Pohoa

[Ed Smay]

Hi there!

I am doing some research on the need/want for Pastry Chefs in Hilo or Pahoa.

I wanted your opinion as to how successful someone would be in starting a business making cakes and pastries in these areas.

What would be the need be for specialty cakes?

Let me know your opinion.

Thanks

Ed (Dutch)



Edited by - Ed Smay on 09/04/2007 17:11:42

[mella l]

Hi Dutch.

I don't live on island yet, but I'll give this a shot.

There are a few bakeries on the east side. Now a pastry chef I don't know. The bakeries are sufficient, however if you have that je ne sais quoi, perhaps it would be a go.

My best suggestion would be for you, a professional. to treat yourself to at least a one week trip over and take a look with a trained eye. Check out the bakeries, shop the wholesale supply to get an idea of the cost of your working inventory, (costs more on island) check with a few realtors about properties business, available and rates.

I LOVE pastries! Good luck!

PS. We have some hunky dorey realtors who post here!

mella l

[Kelena]

Ed,

I am also not living on the Island yet, but have been over many times.

What is missing in Pahoa (at least I think!) is a super cutesy French style bakery that serves fantastic coffee with a nice lanai overlooking something that isn't hideous. A friend of mine and I were joking (we think) about opening such a bakery. There are some, shall we say, outposts, that offer baked goods, and thank heavens for them. But I think the area might support, what shall I call it, a fuss-budget bakery on the order of one I saw in Kilauea, in Kauai. They served lilikoi pastries, had great coffee and were in a pleasant setting.

As for specialty cakes, I think that would NOT be the bread and butter of such a business, tee-hee, at least not at first. But you never know. You could take your premier products to the Maku'u Farmer's Market and give it a go.

I say do some more research. You have one person who is very receptive to it.

[jerry]

IMHO a bakery limited to cakes and pastries would not make it. KTA and Safeway have this locked up.

However, I think a good full service bakery in Pahoa could be very successful.

Jerry
Art and Orchids B&B
http://www.artandorchids.com

[mella l]

Ummm eclairs, napoleans, strussel with raisins, cream puffs with real chocolate, fried pies, coffee cakes, bear claws, real cinnamon rolls, lovely and artful almond or lemon cakes, madelines, macaroons. Many people have never eaten a REAL macaroon!

If I'm going to eat it I want it made with real ingredients, that is why I do not buy Safeway or KTA baked goods. Taste like parafin to me. I want real so I rarely eat any pastry unless I or a friend bake it at home.

Happy searching and researching but be for warned you will fall in love with the Puna, it's magical.

mella l

[Genxor]

Ed , I wish we could all be positive and say " Yes, certainly " , but Glenn has it pretty much pegged.

If you have yet to visit - Pahoa is a jewel that needs to be shined , as well as Hilo. Both are being addressed, but in babysteps.

Folks - on other boards- recently recommended Waimea to an individual who intended to open a gourmet/ wine business.She also first targeted Pahoa. Just fyi.

I do not want to deter you, we all have our opinions . The area is changing dramatically and will continue to do so. Definately underserved in all fashions. Just not a sure bet at this point.

Greg H.

[Hotzcatz]

http://www.hawaiiinformation.com/REsearch/IDX/mlsHawaii/IndividualListing.asp?page=1&MLS=196677

Tex Drive Inn is for sale and they are famous for their malasadas which is sort of like a doughnut without a hole. It is in Honokaa and along the highway so you would have a lot of different folks driving past.

[pslamont]

One of the things we noted on arriving is that there isn't a really fine pastsry shop anywhere around. There are bakeries but they are not high end. I would go along with the idea that you would need a good coffee shop with a nice view as an addendum, but it could work.... maybe.

Lots of businesses try here and fail. Usually due not to the wrong idea but the wrong location, poor financial planning and inadequqte research.

I would think that the wedding cake business alone could be strong, along with arrangements with some of the restaurants and hotels on this side. None have access to high end baked goods.

It's just my opinion, but I see lots of opportunity here. I would guess somewhere along Bayfront would be better than Pahoa just for traffic and tourism.

Just a thought.... Pam

Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!

[JerryCarr]

Pam makes lots of sense. (As usual.) Pahoa and lower Puna are changing and gentrifying, but it's probably not time just yet for a high-end bakery. The wedding cake thing is a great idea for Hilo.

Cheers,
Jerry

[Carolann R]

I love Tex's...hope the malasadas don't suffer in the translation.

Carrie

"All I can say about life is, Oh God, enjoy it." Bob Newhart