Interview with Dave Knight, chef-owner
How did you get involved in this business?
I’ve been a pastry chef for 27 years and have worked all over the country. Growing up in Europe and the Middle East really influenced how I cook. After having worked as the pastry chef for the Kevin Taylor Restaurant Group and then The Westin Westminster, I decided to leave the corporate world and open a patisserie. My goal was to use the freshest ingredients and only 100 percent butter in all my products and to have a seasonal change of products in the case.
What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
We employ a farm-to-table philosophy in a pastry shop and use 100 percent butter in everything. We don’t make cupcakes or follow other fads. For example, along with a regular carrot cake I also make a curry apricot carrot cake. I like blending the sweet and savory.
What do you like best about your line of work?
I love meeting my customers and talking to them one-on-one. It’s a tight-knit community and, over the past year, I’ve gotten to really know my regulars, their friends and family plus the kids. We try and do a lot of events for the kids.
What is your business’ biggest challenge?
Getting people away from the shortening icings and inferior products and educating them on quality over quantity. We process our own chocolate from an organic fair trade from Peru, get honey from local beekeepers and grow our own herbs for the breads I make every Saturday morning.
Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
My customers find it funny that I used to drive a tank in the Army. The customers are always surprised to learn that the building I’m in was built in 1888 and still has the original, dated newspaper on the walls. It was put there for insulation.
Business: The Village Patisserie
Address: 6947 Highway 73, Evergreen
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. Saturday
Founded: 2013
Contact: 303-679-3101; thevillagepastryshop.com
Employees: 3
To suggest a business for us to profile, e-mail soelrich@denverpost.com.
