Nestled in the heart of the community is a bakery that has captured the hearts and taste buds of locals: Bao's Pastry. This delightful bakery is more than just French pastries and tasty desserts—it's the story of the dream of a culinary pastry artist.
Vietnam, France, and Valparaiso, Indiana
Bao's journey begins in her home country of Vietnam, with a detour to France, where she moved to study the art of pastry at the Paris Auguste Escoffier School. After refining her skills at several French pastry boutiques and bakeries, Bao and her husband Hà moved from Paris, France, seeking to build a life in the Chicagoland area. They fell in love with Valparaiso thanks to its quality of life, thriving economy, beautiful neighborhoods, and proximity to the Indiana Dunes. The couple began sharing Bao's pastry creations at local farmers' markets under the name Bao's Pastry.
The response was overwhelming. Locals lined up at Bao's booth to get their hands on her gorgeous and delicious pastries, and their pleas for a permanent location led to the opening of Bao's Pastry in downtown Valpo. The small bakery was a welcome addition to the city and was soon filled with regular customers. In 2020, the pastry shop won our Locals Love contest for the Best Dessert in Porter County.
The Magic in the Details
What sets Bao's Pastry apart is the meticulous attention to detail and her love of creating new pastries. When asked what his favorite dessert was, one loyal customer puts it, "I really don't have a favorite...everything she makes has such a wonderful flavor profile." This is no accident. Bao and her team put immense care into the smallest details—grating their own lemon zest, juicing fresh lemons, and ensuring every ingredient is of the highest quality. The flavors are vibrant and varied, constantly changing and rotating to keep customers coming back for more. Whether it's a classic croissant, an innovative new pastry, or a seasonal favorite, there's always something fresh and exciting to try.
Building an American Dream
Bao and Hà realized that they would not have the same opportunities back in France and now feel like they have built their own American Dream. Moving from France to the United States, Bao and her husband saw the potential to build something extraordinary. They've now outgrown the small space they started in and have opened a second location in Valparaiso, where they do all of the baking along with offering pastry classes to the public.
