Le Bakehouse: A new standard for bakery products in Chattogram
With top-notch products, three thriving outlets, and plans for global exports, Le Bakehouse is transforming Chattogram’s bakery culture
Studying, conducting business, and pursuing professional careers had taken each of them abroad. There, pastries, cakes, cookies, bread, and other bakery products are of the highest quality. However, Chattogram lacked such premium-quality products.
To address this gap, four entrepreneurs came together to establish a bakery brand called Le Bakehouse.
A factory was set up in the city, currently producing 65 types of bakery items, which are delivered to customers through three outlets. Delicious cakes like Salted Caramel and Vanilla Cheese Frosting have made Le Bakehouse Limited a household name in the city.
According to the company, Abul Hayet Md Ataul, Shajir Ahmed, Abrar Hossain, and Selim Reza - four friends and family members - felt the need for an international-standard gourmet bakery in Chattogram. They began planning in 2019 and later intensified their efforts in 2020. Subsequently, bakery machinery was imported from Australia.
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In August 2021, they established a 6,000-square-foot factory in the Kalurghat BSCIC industrial area of the city. The first premium outlet was opened in Khulshi, the second in Nasirabad, and the third in Jamal Khan.
These outlets offer 65 types of bakery products, including cakes, cookies, and bread and savouries.
The Managing Director of the company, Abul Hayet Md Ataul, told The Business Standard, "Bringing a franchise from abroad is much easier. We are striving to create our own brand by producing internationally standard products. To sustain operations with our setup, we need to run at least three outlets, and we are doing that. With our current machinery, it is possible to operate six outlets."
International-quality products
Previously, Chattogram did not have access to delightful cakes like Salted Caramel and Vanilla Cheese Frosting, which was one of the highlights of Le Bakehouse as they landed in the market. For such popular bakery items, people in Chattogram relied on Dhaka. Introducing treats like Lemon Tart, Chocolate Éclair, and Salted Caramel Éclair to the Chattogram market has been a hallmark of La Bakehouse.
Among pastry items, favourites include Chocolate Éclair, Salted Caramel Éclair, Chocolate Tart, Red Velvet Cheese Brownie, and 144-layer round croissants with 3 different fillings most of which were previously unavailable in Chattogram.
In the cookies category, items like Strawberry Shortbread, Golden Raisin Cookies, and Pistachio Cookies have become customer favourites. For bread, options like Butter Croissant, Sandwich Bread, Milk Bread, Sugar-Free Bread, Garlic Bread, Loaf Bread, and Burger Buns have received great customer feedback.
In the Chips & Gourmet Cookies section, items like Potato Chips, Banana Chips, New York Classic Cookies, White Chocolate Cookies, and Double Chocolate Cookies are available.
The Beverages section offers a variety of drinks, including Cappuccino, Espresso, Doppio, Per Cup, Caramel Latte, Americano, Latte, Vanilla Latte, Mocha, and Hot Chocolate.
Md Ataul, the managing director of Le Bakehouse said, "We initially faced a challenge to educate the market with authentic European bakery products, the market has shown a great interest in all the items. We take our customer feedback very seriously and have added a QR code to our packaging, through which customers can give us feedback very easily. We plan to introduce more premium products in the coming months, which will be a game changer in the Chittagong market."
He also mentioned that the company sources premium-quality and best of raw materials for their products.
Targeting export markets
In addition to its own outlets, Le Bakehouse supplies gourmet goods to several restaurants which are tailored to their needs in Chattogram tailoring these items to meet the specific standards and demands of its clients. The bakery also provides catering services to corporate entities.
Looking ahead, Le Bakehouse is working toward exporting its products internationally.
"Our next goal is to expand to Middle Eastern and Western markets," said the managing director of Le Bakehouse. "We plan to begin this initiative next year, starting exclusively with cookies."
