The Detroitisit team celebrates the 2024 Detroitisit Food Awards with our last engaging interview featuring an “outstanding pastry chef” as previous awards have crowned this next individual. These interviews are intended to assist in promoting these local Detroit individuals & their businesses even further.
So, what are the Detroitisit Food Awards? For the second year in a row, Detroitisit is promoting food and entertainment establishments in Detroit. In this latest round, the beloved Warda Pâtisserie bakery wins Detroit’s “Best Sweet Spot” category for the 2024 season Detroitisit Food Awards.
You’ll get to see some of Warda Bouguettaya’s personality shine through as she champions the bakery she founded, and has nurtured since its early transitional stages in 2017. These stunning pastries are made with local, organic ingredients and inspiration that stems from North Africa, France, and Southeast Asia.
Read what all three winners in various categories had to share about their business journeys, the Detroit food scene, favorite tastes of their own, and how they feel about the Detroitisit Food Awards.
PHOTO WARDA BOUGUETTAYA
Q: How would you describe Detroit’s food and entertainment scene and why should foodies eat and enjoy themselves at the experiential Warda Pâtisserie bakery?
A: Detroit is constantly changing and the food scene is always expanding as a reflection of the many cultures we have! At Warda, we want our guests to feel like they’re traveling to many continents without a passport. We make everything from scratch and enjoy melting local ingredients with global flavors.
Q: Seeing as you’re a pastry chef and own such a diverse modern bakery with a touch for sharing expertly curated global tastes, what are some of your top menu items & pastries?
A: It changes with each guest and depending on one’s taste. But we are proud of our quiche and our guests seem to love it too as it is among our most popular. Our Seasonal tarts, especially fruit ones, are also quite loved! We appreciate our guest’s openness to trying new things from our menu every time!
Q: To share the love even more, what are some of your favorite local bites/places to grab food and a drink?
A: I love our neighbors at Vecino! From bold flavors to organic Mexican design, everything makes you feel like you’re in Mexico City! Supino never disappoints, Mabel Gray is sublime, SheWolf Pastificio & Bar is like a hug, and Ladder 4 Wine Bar’s chef John Yelinek, makes some cozy & innovative dishes.
PHOTO WARDA BOUGUETTAYA
Q: New exciting upcoming plans for Warda in the near future and into the new year?
A: We are working on Warda 2.0 which should combine the pastries people know us for, in addition to baking classes and different programming.
Q: What would you like to see more of in terms of food and entertainment actions emerging in Detroit?
A: More daytime small eateries and more non-alcoholic drinks as the options are slim when you don’t drink alcohol.
Q: What’s one quote or message you live by?
A: Take it one day at a time and do not take anything for granted.
Q: Your passion has allowed you to seriously make a name for yourself in cities near and wide. You’ve already won “Outstanding Pastry Chef” at the 2022 James Beard Awards in Chicago, would you like to share your thoughts on the Detroitisit Food Awards and the communal support brought on by becoming Detroit’s “Best Sweet Spot”?
A: Detroit has given us the chance to make our dream patisserie a reality and there were people who thought we were crazy when we first opened in the city! But seeing our guests’ support, and having our dear regulars come back again and again means we are doing something special that is enjoyed by many and that is the best reward! My team and I are all very thankful for the “Best Sweet Spot” award!
Q: The answer is probably always changing along with the seasons, but what’s one of your favorite
PHOTO WARDA BOUGUETTAYA
pastries to make and serve?
A: I just love the excitement of bringing a pastry to life! From an idea or a sketch to an actual dessert you can hold and eat! Sometimes we’re able to nail it from the first go, and other days we have to test many times before we’re happy with it. Our Madeleines are what I eat daily! One madeleine a day keeps the worries away or something like that!
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