Apollonia.
meet.
"Miche Master"
Picture this: a twinkling tale that starts some eighty years ago, spanning two generations of visionary bakers before settling on Apollonia Poilâne, our initially-teenaged heroine. It is a tale that weaves itself through a particularly Parisian Paris and a distinctive set of globe-trotting subplots. It is a tale that unites Gerard Depardieu, Robert De Niro and a whole host of other supporting characters through a singular love for one special item. In a suitably surreal turn of events even Salvador Dali plays a part.
It could be played straight – the ultimate Hollywood biopic – or with a touch of the screwball, filtered through a Wes Anderson-esque lens. There is ambition in abundance and heart in equal measure. Ultimately though it is a tale about bread. More specifically it is about the famed bread of Poilâne, and its current custodian.
The recipe at the heart of all of this? ‘Well,’ Apollonia states simply, ‘we mix just four ingredients: the sourdough starter, water, flour and salt.’ Upon these unassuming foundations, three generations of the Poilâne family have cultivated a veritable luxury brand, renowned the world over for its sourdough rounds, or miches. Poilâne was founded by Apollonia’s grandfather Pierre in 1932 and brought to bonafide prominence by her characterful father Lionel. Over the years, the allure of the miche has seen movie stars queuing for fresh bakes if in Paris, and having them shipped around the world if not. In 1971, Salvador Dali even commissioned Lionel to sculpt an entire bedroom from bread. Elaborating on the unique, crucial component of the miche, Apollonia explains, ‘[The starter is] a piece of dough from one batch, which is left to ferment to feed the following batch.’ Hearing her speak about this unbreakable bond to past bakes, you begin to get a sense of her quiet yet intense passion for the bread itself. She acknowledges the parallels between ‘her’ Poilâne and the bread itself: both exist only as a result of their ancestral ties to that which came before them, yet here they stand new, distinct and (of course!) fresh.
Lionel had his own term for it: ‘retro-innovation’. It is an ethos that Apollonia still stands by today. ‘The term he coined, that is very powerful,’ says Apollonia. ‘What he’s trying to say is that in order to go forward you have to examine where you’ve been and why you’ve been doing things the way you have…but also challenge yourself to use the current technologies and ideas of the time.’ These words are so measured, and so softly yet firmly annunciated in her flawless American English, that you almost forget the potential for chaos that existed in Apollonia’s sudden transition from regular teenaged life to head of a globally-renowned bread-baking institution. On October 31st 2002, Lionel and Apollonia’s mother, Iréna were killed in a tragic helicopter accident. Two days later Apollonia assumed the title of CEO of Poilâne at the age of just 18.
Images by Giada Mariani
The years that immediately followed this pivotal moment featured, understandably, a crash-course of sorts in the business of Poilâne. Crucially however, Apollonia balanced this with a trajectory that focused on her long-term ability to take the company forwards. Perhaps most remarkably of all, a year after assuming the mantle she crossed the Atlantic to take up a place at Harvard, where she studied Economics for four years. Throughout, she remained at the forefront of Poilâne, making regular trips back to Paris between classes, when she was unable to meet the demands of the business remotely. When asking Apollonia about her studies now, some years later, her response is refreshingly free of the expected touchstones: the difficulties of balancing her two roles; the daunting academia that presumably goes hand in hand with an Ivy League degree in Economics. Instead, she says that Harvard gave her ‘a sense of perspective. It was great meeting people from an entirely different background [who challenged] my thought processes. I really feel I learnt a lot from them, and it just opened my mind to other things.’
This expansive, outwards looking point of view (‘curiosity and that sense of openness to new things is something that was forged in my childhood’ she says) is matched by a pronounced tenderness for the long-serving, resolutely loyal employees of Poilâne. ‘I think there are really good parallels to be drawn between the way you bake bread and the way you run a family business,’ says Apollonia, stressing that she believes ‘her role is putting together the right ingredients at the right time… And in my experience the people I work with are the crucial ingredients.’ From other heads of international companies with turnovers that run into the tens of millions, such statements might sound contrived, trite even. Here though they carry a poignancy of sorts – hinting at the gratitude she so clearly feels for those who stood by her and guided her from such a young age to where she is now.
That position is at the helm of a uniquely successful business, from which Apollonia consolidates and expands the model set forth by her father. It is a both a boulangerie and a brand; a love letter to rustic craftsmanship and a slick global operation that sees a ‘concierge’ service Fed-Exing freshly baked products to admirers anywhere in the world. At a time when the finer things in life are increasingly defined by their heritage and artisanal qualities, the ethos of Poilâne – birthed some decades ago – proved to be startlingly prescient. It is impressive to see how Poilâne under Apollonia’s stewardship still embodies this. Expanding the commercial side of the business is one thing – Poilâne products are now available through a carefully curated selection of supermarkets in both France and the UK – but to do so whilst maintaining such dignified control over the rich tapestry of elements that first made the brand special all those years ago? That takes something special.
By James Darton for Semaine.
stream.
"Press Play with Apollonia"
Listen, Watch, Feel, Understand.
1:
Borat
Larry Charles, 2006
“As outrageous as funny, and a little sad too!”
2:
Apple News
APP
“The news (several sources, usually radio and online papers) – I think I qualify as a news junky.”
3:
Unlocking Us
PODCAST
“A friend recommended Brené Brown’s podcast and I have loved listening to it!”
4:
Kiss the Ground
Josh Tickell & Rebecca Harrell Tickell, 2020
“Regenerative farming.”
5:
Sean Connery as James Bond
AMAZON
“or nostalgia!”
shop.
"Bake Shop"
If there is one thing we are sure of, it's that going into a Poilâne bakery will put a smile on your face. You might not be able to smell all the glory here, so close your eyes and imagine the smell of fresh bread and croissants....
TOAST Toaster
Gae Aulenti for Trabo
Gae Aulenti for Trabo
£299.00
Sourdough Loaf
Poilâne
Poilâne
£8.84
Recycled Picnic Blanket
Tweedmill Textiles
Tweedmill Textiles
ENQUIRE
Punitions®
Poilâne
Poilâne
£8.75
Myrtilles Jam
Christine Ferber
Christine Ferber
£8.75
Linen Bread Envelope
Poilâne® x L/Uniform
Poilâne® x L/Uniform
£75.12
Genuine Work Jacket
Le Mont Saint Michel
Le Mont Saint Michel
£198.77
Coffee Brewing Alarm Clock
Bariseur
Bariseur
ENQUIRE
Bon Appetit Tea Towel
KIOSK48TH
KIOSK48TH
£11.29
explore.
"A Poilane World Trip"
Let Apollonia take you around her universe, we promise, you will enjoy the ride.
Jean Paul Hevin
côté cour, 231 Rue Saint-Honoré
75001 Paris
France
côté cour, 231 Rue Saint-Honoré
75001 Paris
France
“I love chocolate and appreciate the chocolatier’s expertise.”
Le Cherche Midi
22 Rue du Cherche-Midi
75006 Paris
France
22 Rue du Cherche-Midi
75006 Paris
France
“Fresh pasta is always a good idea.”
Toraya
10 Rue Saint-Florentin
75001 Paris
France
10 Rue Saint-Florentin
75001 Paris
France
“Japanese wagashi are a reverence to season and my favorite pastry.”
Epices Roellinger
1 Rue Duguesclin
35260 Cancale
France
1 Rue Duguesclin
35260 Cancale
France
“For spices and the journey of traveling by smell.”
Ibu Gallery
JARDINS DU
166 Galerie de Valois
75001 Paris
France
JARDINS DU
166 Galerie de Valois
75001 Paris
France
“Featuring extra-ordinary everyday jewellery and works of artists in conversation with my mother’s (bronze) functional sculptures.”
Hélène Darroze at the Connaught
Carlos Pl, Mayfair
London W1K 2AL
United Kingdom
Carlos Pl, Mayfair
London W1K 2AL
United Kingdom
“Hélène is a neighbor in Paris who’s cooking I love to visit the way you embark on and account of her latest travels and inspirations.”
Rapha Cycling Club
85 Brewer St, Soho
London W1F 9ZN
United Kingdom
85 Brewer St, Soho
London W1F 9ZN
United Kingdom
“I have found in cycling, at Rapha around the world, an amazing community of men and women to share the road with.”
Postcard Teas
9 Dering St, Mayfair
London W1S 1AG
United Kingdom
9 Dering St, Mayfair
London W1S 1AG
United Kingdom
“My teasmith since 2011, Tim’s selection of teas is what determines the quality of my day!”
Chelsea Physics Garden
66 Royal Hospital Rd, Chelsea
London SW3 4HS
United Kingdom
66 Royal Hospital Rd, Chelsea
London SW3 4HS
United Kingdom
“It is a calming and cocoon-ish garden to sit down, dream or just breath.”
Sir Anthony Van Dyck
Oude Koornmarkt 16
2000 Antwerpen
Belgium
Oude Koornmarkt 16
2000 Antwerpen
Belgium
“For a family or friends meal in Antwerp, a historical place and comforting foods.”
Coutume
47 Rue de Babylone
75007 Paris
France
47 Rue de Babylone
75007 Paris
France
“My neighborhood café in Paris.”
Avion clothier
3153 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90039
United States
3153 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90039
United States
“Kathy’s designs and fabrics are effortlessly chic and extremely comfortable, I wish I created more occasions to wear her works.”
Riedizioni
Via Giuseppe Brentano,
20121 Milano MI
Italy
Via Giuseppe Brentano,
20121 Milano MI
Italy
“Luisa created a material that is a composite of fabric (although other materials too) and polyurethane, she then creates everyday pouches and objects with. I use her bag and pouches daily as they are easy to clean, light, and great designs.”
read.
"Kitchen Secrets"
Ever wondered what books Apollonia has staked on her night stand? Look no further…
1.
Wine Simple
“I get a little daunted by wine. The visuals of this book and thoroughness of the authors make the rest.”
3.
Pierre Hermé et Moi
“As a ‘gourmande’ having Pierre and Soledad’s book in my kitchen has nurtured some delicious moments. Plus illustrations make it ideal for parents-children activities.”
4.
Poilâne
“A little self-promo for the book that’s sourdough I nurtured for 7 years before publishing! about my family’s business, and how to use bread as an ingredient.”
5.
Le tour du monde en 80 jours
“This is the book my father read to me and my sister growing up.”
6.
Voyage aux pays de merveilles
“Olivier Roellinger books are always an enchantment. This one is a journey discovering tastes and flavors, the first ones we taste growing up.”
7.
Chef, La Grenouillère
“I am a fan of the chef, his cooking and intellect. He just published volume 2; get both!”
8.
The Art of Blending
“This book is a great companion for your home cooking if you enjoy baking with fresh produce using quality spices and other pantry delights. I go to the book for recipes and inspiration.”
11.
Sitopia
“My mother having been an architect, I appreciate Caroline’s approach to food in the architecture of cities, and here on how it nurtures our humanity.”
12.
Cuites
“Coming out this week. It’s a compilation of hangover recipes of chefs (although I contributed one!?!) in honor that proper food is needed after a great (or excessive) night.”
ask.
"Bread and butter!"
Get to know Apollonia like you never have before.
What does the word “taste” mean to you?
Apollonia:
Taste echos flavors to me. It is the promise of a travel and the potential of discovery.
Do you have a life motto that you live by?
Apollonia:
Quality over quantity. It’s more of a guideline than a motto.
What was the last thing that made you laugh?
Apollonia:
Sourdough names, they really are the new pets!.
What are your favourite qualities in a human being?
Apollonia:
Kindness and generosity.
Who is your hero?
Apollonia:
Mothers–people that feed the next generations of humans, breads.
What is your biggest flaw?
Apollonia:
I am passionate.
What is your best quality?
Apollonia:
I am detail oriented.
What would your last meal on earth be?
Apollonia:
Bread and butter!
What does success mean to you?
Apollonia:
Growing and embarking people with you to newer heights.
If you had the power to change anything you wanted in the world, what would you change?
Apollonia:
Our relationship to nature.
END.
