Fleur de Cocoa Sold to Local Chefs

Popular patisserie chocolaterie owners Nicola and Pascal Janvier announced this week they have sold their sweet heaven to two local chefs leaving their successful business in good hands.

In a letter sent to Los Gatos Patch, Nicola Janvier thanked this publication for and said she wanted help spreading the news to the community about the transfer of ownership.

She also thanked town residents and visitors for their support of the business for the past 12 years and said they're selling the shop due to new opportunities and their desire for more family time.

Located at 39 No. Santa Cruz Ave., the small shop opened for business in 2000 by Pascal Janvier, who's a master French pastry chef and chocolatier along with wife Nicola.

The business' new owners are Chef Julia Anderson and husband Craig Anderson, who are California natives and plan to carry on Fleur de Cocoa’s tradition, Nicola said, adding that she's been training them for a month, sharing recipes and introducing them to the community.

Julia Anderson is trained at the renowned culinary school Le Cordon Bleu, and Craig will be the shop manager. They live in San Jose with their 4-year-old daughter.

The couple also said that since Nicola is Australian, and Pascal has done some consulting in Sydney and Melbourne over the years, they're headed Down Under, but "we’ll take with us a big part of Los Gatos in our hearts."

The couple recalled starting their operation with a tiny staff and many 18-hour days, as they strived to introduce rather foreign French pastries to many locals and spread their passion for chocolate.

"We became part of the community’s holiday and birthday celebrations, a place for friends to spend time together, and a stop for a loved one’s gift, a helper for the Easter Bunny and Santa, and part of many special occasions," they wrote in a letter sent to their customers.

"We are so thankful for all the support and love we have been given these last 12 years, the friends we have made, employees who’ve stood behind our values, and wonderful reputation we’ve earned with hard work. It is very hard to say “good bye” to our many adoring customers and thank you all."

The shop sells award-winning cakes, chocolates and tartelettes, croissants, milles-feuilles, also known as "Napoleons;" eclairs, petits-fours, or bite-sized pastries; tartes or shells filled with various fillings that include fruit and custard; cakes and chocolates by the piece or in gift boxes.

The business' hours of operation are 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday; and 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday.

The small shop also sells ice cream and sorbets.