SOUTH SALT LAKE ― Delice Bakery & Cafe brims with ambience, aroma and an amazing bakery case that beckons patrons with pastries and mouth-watering cakes that could easily double as works of art. Pastry chef Jean-Jacques Grossi obviously brought both his French roots and decades of experience to Delice.
Whether it’s french pastries, breads and desserts, or breakfast and lunch fare you seek, Delice offers delectable choices that include deli sandwiches, salads, soups, quiche and more.
“It’s a long story,” Grossi said of his move from the south of France to Salt Lake City in the 1970s.
As a teen on vacation, he first arrived in 1975 to visit his father and siblings who had moved here after his parents divorced.
“I wanted to stay a little longer,” Grossi said. “I went to Canada for a year, then came back in 1977 and have been living here since then … one thing led to another.”
His culinary handiwork has captivated customers in the Salt Lake City area since 1982 when he and his father first opened Normandie Bakery near 21st South and 7th East.
Normandie changed hands and eventually closed, but Grossi went on to work for Brumby’s and then Gourmandise Cafe & Bakery, where he settled in as pastry chef manager in 2001―and stayed 15 years.
Grossi said he left Gourmandise about six years ago because the owners headed in a new direction with which he disagreed.
But he didn’t lose his love and flair for preparing fine food. Grossi teamed with Akbar Matinkhah to open Délice in November 2018, and longtime fans took note.
“A lot of old customers have been following me,” Grossi said. “So far, business has been pretty good.”
That “pretty good” could be understated when describing Delice’s brisk business. Recent reviews posted on www.restaurantji.com offer a glimpse into Delice’s loyal customer base.
“The best desserts hands down! We have all of our family celebrations here and they are always very accommodating to our large group,” Patrick Quinn Properties wrote in March.
And Sarah W praised Delice in her February review: “Great place to read, work, meet a friend for coffee and a good panini, salad, snack or dessert! The cream of mushroom soup was just like we’ve had in France!”
Does the 65-year-old chef ever plan to retire?.
“Of course,” Grossi said with a laugh. “I’m too old for this now―I didn’t expect to be that busy.”
But Grossi said he’s not quite ready to leave it all behind.
“I don’t really want to fully retire, but maybe just take it easy, know what I mean?” he said. “Slow it down a little bit.”
Delice Bakery & Cafe is located at 2747 South State Street, SLC, UT
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