(Photo by Brittney Dial Testin) Perry Township-based Mr. Bonbon specializes in macarons and other baked goods. The McGee family attended the Bargersville Harvest Festival, and just held a grand opening for a new restaurant at 4141 S. East Street in Indianapolis.
By BRITTNEY DIAL TESTIN
Mr. Bonbon, a family business founded a year ago in Perry Township, specializes in macarons and other baked goods.
Owners Jeremy and Grace McGee began by baking French macarons.
“We started it after we baked some macarons just for fun, and got some very positive feedback from friends and relatives at a family get together,” Grace said. “Multiple people told us we could sell our macarons and we gave it some thought and decided to pursue it.”
Eventually, cake pops, traditional pies, chocolates, and a variety of baked Filipino foods were added to the menu. Many people rave about the mango cake, which is a traditional Filipino cake with light whipped frosting and fresh mangos.
“We also created our own chocolate bar called the Ube Crunch Bar, which features white chocolate, ube truffle filling, and crunchies that makes for a one of a kind chocolate bar that we designed to complement our Dubai Chocolate bars,” Grace said.
“Our business focuses on fusion,” she continued. “This means our flavors, methods, and recipes are the result of combining Filipino and American with inspiration from France, Italy, the Caribbean, Latin America, and even Africa. We have recreated many authentic cultural staples over the last year to celebrate a variety of cultures. For example, we baked Nigerian Puff Puff for an African cultural festival. Our baked Filipino goods are highly respected for being delicious and authentic, and when we use Asian flavors to make unique macarons such as Bukko Pandan, lychee, and Ube, it brings brand new flavors to many people.”
In their first year, the family attended and sold their products at pop up markets and farmers markets.
“We have built up a reputation for being very friendly and creating great sweet treats by getting to know our customers directly,” Grace said. “We love the opportunity to be creative and pursue our own vision. As small business owners, we get to make whatever excites us…we get to enjoy almost limitless freedom to be creative.”
The couple is excited to announce the opening of a new restaurant, continuing their focus on fusion. This new division is named Salo Salo, which means “gathering” in Tagalog. Their grand opening was Sept. 30 at 4141 S. East Street.
