Founded in 2002, Vanille specializes in French-inspired pastries and macarons as well as celebration cakes and dipped ice cream cones. Staffed with a team of classically trained pastry chefs, Vanille has neighborhood patisseries in Chicago’s French Market and Lincoln Park. Everything is baked to order with the freshest ingredients and available for online ordering and delivery. Vanille was recognized as one of the best bakeries in America by Time Out Magazine in 2016. Sophie Evanoff, President of Vanille, was the first female business owner to win the James Tyree Emerging Business Leadership Award in 2016 and was honored as a Women of Influence by the Chicago Business Journal in 2019. Read below to learn more!
How long have you been in the neighborhood?
Sophie Evanoff, president of Vanille, acquired the business in 2011.
Why the West Loop?
We love the West Loop and its vibrant food and cultural scene, and are honored to bring the soul and spirit of our French-inspired pastries and custom cake creations to this beautiful neighborhood.
What are your top challenges in growing your business?
Since the COVID-19 crisis began, Vanille has endured challenges unlike our business has ever seen. We permanently closed one of our three locations and made heart-wrenching cuts to our team. We had to re-imagine our menu for takeout and shift what and how we serve our communities.
Profit margins in the food business are historically razor thin. However, we continue to work day in and day out to provide both the best in French pastry and community giving, and strive to grow our business so we can deliver on our mission to spread sweetness across Chicago.
Why did you join the West Central Association?
We enjoy engaging the local chambers of commerce and local non-profit organizations in the neighborhoods in which we operate.
What makes your business unique?
Known for premier quality, taste, and dedication to baked goods, Vanille is equally celebrated for our commitment to the local community. We are proud to employ a 100 percent minority employee base and works hard to provide employees with specialized mentoring and training opportunities, from one-on-one coaching to continuing education in culinary and management. Each patisserie serves as an economic development center of excellence, employing bakers and waitstaff from that neighborhood and actively participating in that community through local chamber and non-profit involvement. Each day, we strive to fulfill our mission to make Chicago sweeter, one pastry at a time.
What gets you up in the morning?
Coffee! And the thought that our customers also need coffee…
What’s your favorite part of the West Loop?
We are partial to the French Market, which serves as an exciting cultural hub for residents, commuters and tourists alike.
What does the future look like?
Like every food business, Vanille has endured its share of ups and down over the years. However, the vision has – and always will - center around providing the best in both baking and community giving. We will continue to refresh our menu to reflect the French standard of technique, quality and taste while adding new products, like our line of frozen vanilla custard cones dipped in European chocolate. More importantly, we will remain committed to standing for unity, inclusion and kindness and supporting our friends, neighbors and communities in creating a sustainable future for all Chicagoans.
Describe your business in 140 characters or less
Vanille is a neighborhood patisserie specializing in French-inspired pastries, macarons & cakes with a mission to make Chicago sweeter.
Bonus Question: Tell us a fun fact about you or your business!
We have a disco ball in our production kitchen!