Blandine Mazéran moved from France to Colorado Springs in 2008, and she’s been sharing the art of French cooking ever since.

You may have known her as the personal chef of Chez Blandine, or as the owner and chef of Wholly Crêpe. But today, she’s recognized by a different title: Blandine Mazéran of The French Kitchen culinary center — the woman uniting families around the dinner table with the art of French cuisine.

As a mother of three, Blandine fully understands the hustle and bustle of daily life. That’s why she’ll give you recipes that are quick, easy, and doable in large quantities.

If you are looking for professional chefs’ techniques, credentials, or professional material, this is not the place. There are some great cooking schools out there, and Blandine is ``just`` self-taught. But if you are looking for a great place to learn and share the art of French cooking, then Blandine’s kitchen awaits!

Her promise to you:

- Detailed recipes that you can reproduce anytime, anywhere
- Tips and tricks for organization and faster cooking time
- No fancy utensils that you can’t find in your own kitchen
- Alternative techniques if you don’t have the necessary utensils
- Blandine’s favorite utensils and ingredients available for purchase in The French Kitchen boutique
- Simple techniques you can reproduce anywhere
- No crazy ingredients that you can’t find in stores

Sébastien is originally from a small village near Valence, France, where his passion for French baking first began. Before moving to the States in 2000, Sébastien undertook several apprenticeships to hone his craft, starting as a baking apprentice for Boulangerie Dufour and eventually becoming a pastry chef apprentice for Patisserie Dagand.

After moving to Colorado Springs, Sébastien was eager to expand his career. He worked at several upscale restaurants and bakeries in Colorado Springs, searching for one that truly felt right.

That’s when he found The French Kitchen — his home away from home.

Today, Sébastien is proud to be a part of the French Kitchen family, and he loves sharing his passion for French baking with his customers. But he’s not just a phenomenal baker and pastry chef. He is also Blandine’s right-hand man, and regularly advises her in all aspects of the business.

Born and raised in Louisiana, Kristi’s passion for quality food began at a young age. She often used her parents as test subjects for the creative concoctions she would put together after an evening of watching Iron Chef.

In 2010, she graduated from Louisiana State University with a B.S. in Nutrition. Then in 2011, she graduated from the Art Institute of Colorado with an A.A. in Culinary Arts. While in culinary school, she was able to explore the art of international cuisines and cooking techniques.

After graduating, Kristi worked at a variety of food businesses. But in 2016, she finally found her place in the food industry — here at The French Kitchen.

Kristi is an incredibly valuable member of our team. As chef, Kids’ Program director, and client relationship manager, Kristi loves testing new recipes with Blandine and teaching kids about the joys of French cooking. ``The kids get even more excited about food than me!`` she says, and she wouldn’t have it any other way! As Blandine’s other right-hand man, Kristi brings a lot to the French Kitchen table. Her international perspectives are valuable to Blandine’s French cuisine, and her bubbly personality brings laughter, energy, and creativity to the kitchen on a daily basis.

Gabby is from Atlanta, GA, aka the dirty South. She has been playing in the kitchen for longer than she can remember, starting as a kid with her dad who also loves to cook and bake. She has worked in a number of bakeries back in Atlanta, but has truly discovered her love of pastry making since starting at The French Kitchen.

When she’s not flinging fondant, she enjoys drawing, painting, and hanging out with all the friends she has in her head!

Originally from Vietnam, Anne came to the U.S. when she was just 10 years old. But being the adventurous spirit that she is, she has lived in many places, including France, Japan, Thailand, and the Philippines. Her adventures gave her the opportunity to experience cuisines from all over the world, giving her a unique perspective and palate.

Anne’s adventures have inspired her to share cooking techniques from across the globe with the people of Colorado Springs. You can find her at The French Kitchen teaching classes that specialize in Asian cooking and cuisines from other countries as well.

To Anne, food is a memory. Food is how she shares her incredible experiences with others. And she’s excited to share those experiences with you, too!

Nancy is originally from New Jersey, but she has lived all over the country. After working for Merrill Lynch for 15 years, she decided it was time to go back to school so she could finally focus on her passion for photography. After getting her degree from the NY Institute of Photography, she became a freelance wildlife photographer specializing in photo greeting cards and calendars.

As an enthusiast of the arts, Nancy has always had a passion for French culture and cuisine. This passion of her’s shines through on a daily basis, and it shines through in both obvious and not-so-obvious ways. Sometimes it’s in the form of a stiff-lipped stare or a wafting hand as she keeps the line moving steadily. But above all else, Nancy’s passion is inspirational. And when you look just beneath it, you’ll find her beautiful smile, fearless dedication, and sharp sense of humor.

After returning to the states, she attended CU Boulder to earn a degree in Environmental Design. She also began to explore different cuisines from different countries. She enjoyed cooking breakfast for guests while working at a B&B in California, and she mastered the art of coffee while working as a barista at a local coffee shop.

She was excited to bring those skills to The French Kitchen, and we’re grateful to have her as a member of our team!