Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Dittmore.
Hi Jacqueline, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Jacqueline’s Bakery, an authentic French Artisan Bakery, opened its doors in Downtown Melbourne on July 1st, 2016. She then followed with a second location & brand new production unit on June 18th, 2022, in Suntree (northern tip of Melbourne, near Viera).
The 2 bakeries are located in Brevard county, and both are open 7 days a week from 7:30 am to 8:30 pm.
Downtown
Jacqueline’s Bakery & Café
906 E New Haven Ave
Melbourne, FL 32901
321-312-6594
Suntree
Jacqueline’s Bakery Suntree
6977 N Wickham Rd
Melbourne, FL 32940
321-622-4776
The proud owners of these 2 bakeries are Jacqueline Dittmore and Christophe Molitor, a husband and wife team. Jacqueline, an American born in Ohio, met Christophe, a Frenchman from Paris while living in France. Jacqueline went there many years ago to study the French language and culture. She met her first husband, a Frenchman, and they had two children. Some years later, she left him.
In 2011, she met Christophe, and they fell in love. After contemplating returning to the USA, they decided they wanted to open a French bakery there to share their love of French gastronomy. But before leaving France, she knew she needed to master French gastronomy before returning to her homeland. So, she embarked on a great feat at the age of 49 and enrolled in the Grand Diplôme at Le Cordon Bleu Paris. The Grand Diplôme is the most prestigious culinary qualification at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, combining the studies of Cuisine and Pastry. She finished among the laureates in both disciplines. She then continued to hone her knowledge and skills with an Artisan Bread Baking diploma, CAP (Certificat d’aptitude Professionnel) Boulanger, from the renowned French Culinary Institute, Ferrandi Paris, in 2015.
A few months later, Jacqueline and Christophe left France with their two teenagers and landed in Melbourne, Florida. Christophe’s two adult sons remained in France. After a year of searching, they finally found their ideal location and opened their doors in July 2016. They make everything from scratch and pride themselves on the highest quality French pastries and bread. Hey, serve continental breakfast, breakfast & lunch sandwiches, quiches, pies, European coffees, and ice cream.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Struggles: getting bank loans, finding qualified personnel, navigating hurricanes.
We’ve been impressed with Jacqueline’s Bakery, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
French artisan pastries and bread Everything made from scratch
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Always believe in your vision. Remember that those in a position of power are not always the most intelligent, but they have control over what you can do.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jacquelinebakery.com
- Instagram: Jacqueline bakery downtown & Jacqueline bakery suntree
- Facebook: Jacqueline bakery downtown & Jacqueline bakery suntree
