2024-04-06 10:45:26
Kateřina Kloudová has always loved to bake. But it was only the desire for the perfect pinwheel that gave the young mother the energy to fulfill her dream of owning her own pastry shop. The pinwheel is the only Czech dessert in her establishment. The others are based on modern confectionery, which today largely originates in France. And so, in Panská Street in České Budějovice, you can have a Parisian dessert or a refreshing piece in the shape of fruit.
People from far and wide come for the modern desserts from the Slaďme confectionary. “We are from Jindřichov Hradec. My daughter follows the confectioner on Instagram and I have a holiday today, so we came to taste it. We had to be here at ten o’clock. My daughter said that it might be sold out in the afternoon,” says a customer from one of the tables.
She has a spinning pinwheel on her plate, and her daughter a green pistachio-shaped dessert. Both are very satisfied. “I’m in love with pinwheels and I have to say that I’ve already tasted them in the best pastry shops. And this one is really excellent, unrivaled,” she adds.
A funny story proves that there is real interest in the confectionery. “We open at ten, but I was in the pastry shop around nine and there was a gentleman standing in front of my window. It was a bit uncomfortable for me. Then the supplier arrived and he slipped in with him. He asked me if he could buy something, that he had come from Pilsen and in a little while the train is going back. He also bought desserts for his cousin and left,” says Kateřina Kloudová.
“I enjoy it when something surprises you in desserts. For pinwheels, it’s crushed caramel cookies. For pistachios, I love a pinch of salt. The customer begins to notice and examine what surprised him there, and the taste buds suddenly start going. I like such experiments.” the confectioner describes her approach.
Starring a pinwheel
The pinwheel, which is sprinkled with crushed caramel cookies, is the young confectioner’s greatest pride and, in a way, is responsible for the existence of the Slaďme se confectionary today.
She wanted her own business since she was 15 years old. During the pandemic, she and her family moved to South Moravia for a year, where she started baking even more. In Dolní Dunajovice, she tasted a great wind turbine and decided she wanted an even better one.
“It took me another three-quarters of a year to make it according to my ideas – so that it was not too sweet and that all the components stood out,” recalls the owner of the Budejovice confectionery.
Pastry Academy and inspiration from France
The path to the dream was not easy. “Even though I love Moravia very much, it drew us back to Budějovice. When we returned, my husband and I decided whether we would buy our own home, or whether our savings would go towards my business and education. So we are subletting and I am fulfilling my huge dream, ” explains the pastry chef, adding that one day she would like to open another pastry shop in Mikulov.
When Kateřina Kloudová talks about education, she means last summer, when she went to Helena Fléglová’s confectionery academy. And proof that the owner of the pastry shop is very proud of completing the courses can be found right away on the glass display case with the desserts.
All pieces look beautiful, but the most photogenic are those in the shape of a pear, lemon or mango. Other times the menu includes cherry or raspberry. You definitely won’t lose weight after this fruit, but it’s not such a calorie bomb. Fruit desserts are surprisingly light and refreshing.
Modern desserts are created in France. The fruit-shaped ones were made famous by the French confectioner Cédric Grolet, who is also a great role model for Kateřina Kloudová. In short, the French are gourmets and know how to play with ingredients and flavors. Not to mention the appearance of tempting desserts.
French confectionery is creative and the owner of the Slaďme confectionery is having fun. In her menu, you will often find Paris-Brest wreaths, elongated pastries made from Éclair dough, or French pinwheels called Choux.
Coconut Opera
The newest piece in the display case is the coconut dessert Opera. Inside is white Belgian chocolate, whipped mousse, i.e. whipped foam from roasted coconut. It is said to be something more distinctive than if there was ordinary coconut in it. It tastes a bit like a Bounty bar but is healthier.
Coconut dessert Opera is very popular. | Photo: Jakub Plíhal
This dessert has an interesting story. “I get inspired and then I make up my mind. I consulted with Helena for a long time about Kokos. But it is called Opera in honor of the head of the South Bohemian Theater Opera, Tomáš Ondřej Pilař, who supported me in creating the dessert. We had an agreement that if no one buys Opera, having to put in all the pieces myself. In the end, there was almost nothing left for him,” says the woman, who clearly enjoys her job.