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Village Bakehouse...
A Slice of Sweet, French Island Life in Anguilla

By: Cassie Lewis

You may remember the name Suzan Baronnier from Bonjour Cafe, West Indies Cafe and more recently from Village Bakehouse at the historic Koal Keel.

Outside The Original Village Bakehouse at Koal Keel (2016)
village bakehouse anguilla bakery from outside

We all took notice when Suzan and Pascal breathed new life into the historic Koal Keel building.

Koal Keel's ancient stone rock exterior and the inviting aroma of freshly baked goodies lured us all inside the most special Anguilla bakery. Owner and award-winning pastry chef, Pascal Baronnier's pastries fiddled with our taste buds mercilessly, as we journeyed up the dark wooden staircase that gave way to the main entrance of Village Bakehouse, in search of those buttery croissants.

Soft & Flaky Croissants
croissants from village bakehouse

Yes, since re-kindling the flame that was once Koal Keel, Suzan and Pascal have become two popular names in Anguilla!

The Original Village Bakehouse

Originally from Sangre Grande, Trinidad, Suzan met her husband, Pascal (from Lyon, France), 22 years ago in Anguilla. At the time, Suzan was managing Scilly Cay and Food & Beverage at Vue Point Hotel while Pascal worked in the island's first pastry shop. He simultaneously trained Anguillian bakers and pastry makers, and won the First international pastry award for Anguilla in 1997!

The couple later criss-crossed the globe from Tobago, to Portugal, to Switzerland, to the Cotswold in England. It was there in the English countryside where Pascal learned the art of artisan bread making. Shortly after, St. Barths called their name. And then? Anguilla.

In 2016 they opened Village Bakehouse at the historic Koal Keel.

Village Bakhouse is no longer at Koal Keel (more on where Village Bakehouse is today below), but it is worth nothing because this building is a historical masterpiece! Set down the road from Crocus Bay, it is located in the Historic Valley. True its neighboring buildings, it, too, has a rich history.

The Koal Keel building is now home to The Butchery, a shop selling high quality meats and goods.

Where can you find Suzan and Pascal and Village Bakehouse today?

Village Bakehouse in West End

Keep your eyes peeled for this sign on the road to West End...

village bakehouse sign

Pascal and Suzan have moved next to Grand Vins de France, in Geraud's former location. Conveniently located in West End, Pascal's pastries are now only an 8 minute drive from Meads Bay and a 5 minute drive from Rendezvous Bay.

Outside Village Bakehouse
village bakehouse exterior

In a French-Caribbean chic building, it is a picture-perfect home for Suzan and Pascal, and their seemingly endless selection of pastries, breads and savory lunch specials.

village bakehouse entrance

Step inside...

Inside Village Bakehouse

... and you are greeted by Suzan. A sweet and soft lady, there is something so comforting and warm about Suzan's presence. She always keeps her calm, even demeanor as the room hustles and bustles in the morning with patrons placing their breakfast orders.

Award-Winning Pastries, Artisan Breads & French-Trinidadian Specials

Just as warm as the ambiance are the personalities on the opposite sides of Village Bakehouse's pastry cases, the temporary homes for many crisp French pastries.

What lies inside the glass cases?

Miniature quiches and pastries of all kinds...
mini quiches at village bakehouse

Chocolate twists, croissants, artisan breads...
mini quiches at village bakehouse

And you cannot forget the jam doughnuts, covered in sugar...

Jam Doughnut
jam doughnut at village bakehouse

And Pascal's immaculate apple turnovers...

Apple Turnover
apple turnover at village bakehouse

Breads available include mouth-watering ciabatta rolls & attractively slim viennoises, baring a lightly brown tint and plenty of crisp baguettes...

Baguettes
artisan breads from village bakehouse

These are just a few breads and pastries on display that are all so eager to be chosen and owned. Coffee and hot chocolate makes a loyal and promising companion to said pastries!

Coffee & Hot Chocolate
village bakehouse coffee and hot chocolate

In addition to pastries and breads, Suzan also has a breakfast and lunch menu. Sandwiches of cheese, ham, tuna, fish, egg and chicken are served on your choice of artisan bread. For lunch, Suzan prepares a number of Trinidadian-French specialities including accras, a variety of rotis and dishes of chicken, steak and shrimp.

Two of our favorites for a late breakfast or early lunch? The chicken and cheese sandwich and the egg sandwich...

Chicken and Cheese Sandwich (Foreground)
Egg Sandwich (Background) chicken and cheese and egg sandwiches from village bakehouse