Almost French Patisserie and Epicure win major local business awards

Almost French Group won two top honors at the 2026 Local Small Business Awards in Melbourne, with Almost French Pâtisserie named Outstanding Bakery/Cake Shop and Almost French Epicure named Outstanding New Business. The wins add to the group's national and state recognition as it plans new products, collaborations and community initiatives for 2026-2027.

Why it matters: - The awards strengthen Almost French Group’s position in Australia’s competitive bakery and dining market. - The wins add local recognition to an expanding list of national and state titles. - The results can help drive customer trust, brand visibility and future growth for both venues.

What happened: - Almost French Group won two major honors at the 2026 Local Small Business Awards in Melbourne. - Almost French Pâtisserie received Outstanding Bakery/Cake Shop. - Almost French Epicure received Outstanding New Business. - The awards were announced in Melbourne, Australia, on September 20, 2026.

The details: - The group said the awards reflect its rise as one of Australia’s influential French culinary brands. - The recognition adds to the Australian Champion Traditional Bakery Award and the Victorian Excellence Awards – Bakery Category. - Founder Alex Charasse said the awards reflect the dedication, passion and discipline behind French pastry and cuisine. - Charasse said Melbourne continues to embrace the craft and culture the team brings to the table. - Almost French Pâtisserie is known for artisanal craft, traditional techniques and signature creations. - Almost French Epicure is positioned as a modern French dining venue with an innovative approach to flavour. - The Outstanding Bakery/Cake Shop award recognizes product quality, technique and customer experience. - The Outstanding New Business award recognizes rapid growth, brand identity and community impact.

Between the lines: - The awards suggest the group is building momentum across both retail pastry and restaurant-style dining. - The combination of craftsmanship and a newer concept gives the brand multiple paths for growth. - The local wins may also help reinforce the group’s credibility ahead of planned expansion.

What's next: - Almost French Group plans new product lines, collaborations and community initiatives in 2026-2027. - The company is likely to use the new awards as a platform for broader brand expansion. - Media enquiries, interviews and high-resolution images are available through Almost French Media Relations at marketing@almostfrenchpatisserie.com.au or 04 05 45 71 21.