Meet Laurent Boillon, the trailblazing founder of Laurent Bakery, on this episode of You are so French! The Podcast. Discover how Laurent transitioned from a budding pastry chef in from Aix-en-Provence to revolutionising the Australian bakery scene over 35 years. Experience Laurent's passionate journey as he mastered French baking techniques, introduced Australians to the art of sourdough, and scaled his business in a market unfamiliar with high-end French baking. Learn about the cultural challenges he faced, his triumphs in Melbourne, and his journey to creating a recognised brand throughout Australia. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a lover of French cuisine, Laurent's story of dedication, innovation, and success is sure to inspire. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about how one man's vision can transform appetites and business atmospheres alike. Bonne écoute! We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. Episode markers: 01:41 – Episode introduction: Meet Laurent Boillon 03:45 – Learning pastry art with the best: apprenticeship at Lenôtre in Paris 07:05 – The call from overseas: Switzerland, St. Martin Island, USA, Scotland 08:32 – Becoming a baker and the art of sourdough bread 12:01 – Arriving in Australia: Cairns as a first stop 12:37 – Moving to Melbourne and early challenges 16:20 – Building Laurent Bakery: educating the market and training staff 18:45 – Sourcing quality ingredients 22:10 – Expanding the business and close partnerships 28:50 – Innovations in bread production and how Australia changed the way they eat bread 34:17 – Balancing work and family life 38:16 – Legacy and inspiring the next generation 41:22 – Future plans and aspirations 41:55 – Les mots de la fin 44:10 – Laurent’s reflections on his journey and success