Personalities

Pascal Rigo

Pascal's Links:

La Boulange Bakery & Cafe

Pascal Rigo was born in Bordeaux, France where every day while growing up he fetched two baguettes from the local bakery for his family. When he was only seven years old he began helping out at his village bakery where he was exposed to the craft and tradition of French baking. He worked closely with reputable bakers around Paris and Bordeaux and eventually graduated from the University of Bordeaux. He became a certified baker and moved to California where he opened a bakery.

In 1996, Pascal founded Panissimo group (later Bay Bread) on Pine Street in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights district. Originally a wholesale bakery, he decided to open a retail storefront after selling croissants and baguettes to passersby and getting rave reviews including a write-up in the San Francisco Chronicle. He named it “Boulangerie” after painting the word on the colorful awning over the sidewalk. This flagship location is now referred to as the “mother bakery”.

In the past 16 years, Pascal and his team have opened 13 La Boulange Bakery & Cafés in the San Francisco Bay Area, always maintaining a cozy neighborhood feel. As the company has grown, Pascal and his team developed La Boulange with the belief that every neighborhood should have a place for an authentic French bakery and simple, delicious food. They work with the best, freshest all-natural ingredients marrying a French sensibility to a Bay Area ethos, while working to ensure their products are affordable enough for everyday consumption.

Pascal has remained true to his original passion for French baking and bringing the concept of the French neighborhood boulangerie and patisserie to the Bay Area. He has published a book called The American Boulangerie: Authentic French Pastries and Breads for the Home Kitchen, featuring recipes for his signature breads, pastries, cannelé, and macarons. He is an active member of the community and continues to live with his wife and children near the original Pine Street location.