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Sweet Occasions - Sweetening your life with a clever twist on traditional cafes |07 May 2018

 

 

 

Six years ago, a small party shop under the name of Sweet Occasions opened at Oliaji Trading Centre in Victoria.

At the time, the outlet specialised in novelty cakes (a style of cake covered in fondant icing) and over time, the owners gradually began adding a wider range of cakes and tarts that could be purchased without pre-ordering. At the same time, they noticed that their cupcakes were increasingly becoming more popular.

Today, Sweet Occasions has developed into a coffee shop. The new outlet opened on February 27 this year and is located on the ground floor in shop number 8 (near the Cat Cocos office) at Espace Building.

Stephanie Loustau-Lalanne, one of the business owners, explains that their previous party shop was very small and that as the business grew, space became a problem. Also, due to increasing competition in the cake business, they decided to expand and diversify their services which would include a more spacious, comfortable outlet for their clients - one that would give a better experience where customers can order a coffee and an ice-cream while their kids play.

 

The Sweet Occasions is located on the ground floor in shop number 8 at Espace Building

 She further explains that because the coffee shop is located some distance away from all the main activities in Victoria, they wanted to ensure that their clients are given a service that would make the trip worthwhile.

Upon a visit to Sweet Occasions coffee shop, one will find a selection of food and beverage items on offer, including Lavaza coffee, local tea, homemade fresh local juices, a large variety of cakes and pastries, sweets, chocolates and homemade local jams. Clients are able to place orders for customised, one-of-a-kind novelty cakes for all occasions.

 

 

“We have a very small team of workers who are hard-working and very dedicated. We pride ourselves on using alot of local produce and stocking local delicacies such as ‘papay trounen’ and ‘nouga banann’ for it to be an experience for both locals and tourists. It is a place for tourists to stop on their way to Praslin and for locals to take a moment out of their busy lives and recharge. Life is short, so eat dessert first!” says Stephanie.

In an attempt to offer fun activities for the family, Sweet Occasions are looking into offering cookie and cupcake decoration activities on Saturday afternoons where parents can bring their children and all take part in the fun together.

Stephanie explains that she designed and decorated the coffee shop herself. She wanted it to be a fun and vibrant place that would attract people and worked together with a classic design for all the graphics.

She adds that the seating area is made up of ‘funky’ and custom-made ice-creams and cupcakes. There is also a small section for children where they can colour and draw on a black board as their parents have a chance to relax with a coffee or an ice-cream.

 

A large variety of cakes and pastries, sweets, chocolates and homemade local jams are available at Sweet Occasions

 

 Speaking about the inspiration to open such a business, Stephanie recalls that it has always been her dream to own a dessert bar and the coffee shop is a step towards that. She explains that she is a trained chef by profession and upon her return to Seychelles from her studies in South Africa, she joined her mother’s bakery business operating at Le Rocher. Wanting to add a front to her mother’s bakery, it was then that Stephanie devised the idea for Sweet Occasions.

“My mum has been my main support and pillar of strength in everything. She has offered support and guidance at every step of my career. None of this would be possible without my family or my team’s support,” says Stephanie.

For those interested, Sweet Occasions coffee shop is open from 9am till 6pm; Monday to Saturday.

 

Photo sources: Stephanie Loustau-Lalanne

 

 

 

 

 

 

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