About Maurice French Pastries
The world of food has carried Jean-Luc Albin from France to America by way of Bermuda, and through a series of jobs in large operations and small. Born in Briancon, in the French Alps, Jean-Luc’s father was a talented chef. When he was fifteen years old, he decided to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Jean-Luc began working in small resort hotels in the south of France - signing on as a three year apprentice in Marseilles as soon as he was old enough, and then received a job in a classical kitchen, with legendary Chef Alexandre Chabert. Jean-Luc credits Chabert and the time spent with him at Tain L’Hermitage as helping him turn a youthful experience into a career commitment. A mere six months later, Jean-Luc was ready to establish himself in Paris. He headed to the Georges V Hotel in Paris, where he remained for five years. Those years at one of the world’s most famous properties served as the resume that would make possible much of what happened next.
From there, he headed to the Southampton Princess in Bermuda, then the Omni International in Atlanta. At the mere age twenty-six, Fairmont Hotels brought him to New Orleans as Executive Chef - eventually promoting him to Director of Food & Beverage. Later, Fairmont transferred him to the same position in Dallas. He then went on to Los Angeles as executive assistant to the Chairman of Filmland Corporate Center, headquarters for MGM/UA Studios.
What lured Jean-Luc back to New Orleans was the position as Food and Beverage Director for the Windsor Court five-star hotel, the city’s most highly rated property. But, what kept his family and him in town was the opportunity of becoming an owner and not just an employee, through buying the highly rated patisserie, Maurice’s French Pastries. He quickly grew the operation, creating a coffee shop inside the bakery, and expanded to provide pastries for many of the restaurants and shops in New Orleans.
Appearing in multiple news outlets, television series, and cookbooks, Jean-Luc is proud to call Maurice French Pastries home. Not only is Jean-Luc excelling at producing the best pastries, but he has the satisfaction of being the master of his own destiny. For Jean-Luc Albin, that is indeed the sweetest treat.