Pastries all the way from France

Wanganui's newest bakery imports frozen product from France for its unrivalled taste, owner Patrice Mathey says.

He has tried bread and pastry made in New Zealand with New Zealand ingredients, but says it doesn't have the edge.

"Nothing compares with what I can get from France."

His bakery and delicatessen opened last week , with people lining up to try its wares.

The store is at the Carlton Ave roundabout, opposite the new Hunting & Fishing outlet under construction.

"It's a good area, with a nice view," Mr Mathey said.

He and his wife, with one part-time staff member, are planning to sell cakes, pastries and bread from the renovated former dairy.

They will use adjoining buildings as a bakery and showroom for the frozen food product they will import from France and hope to sell throughout New Zealand.

The food will be mostly to take away but they are also planning to have a few tables.

Their brand is called DeliFrance, and there are already kiosks, cafes and bistros selling it all over Asia. Mr Mathey says his is the first in New Zealand.

For him, the new business is a return to a hobby - the hobby of cooking.

He and his family have been in Wanganui for six years. Mr Mathey was previously working as a builder.

He was born in France and has worked in restaurants in New Caledonia.