26 Mar 2025
We ask a different figure from the local community to choose 10 questions to answer from a list of 50. This week: St Albans’ renowned executive pastry chef Danielle Maupertuis, the only vegan chef to appear at this year’s Ideal Home Show and author of Vegans Deserve Better than a Fruit Salad.
She will hosting a vegan and gluten free fine dining afternoon pop-up at The Mudlarks in Hertford on March 30. Book your place at https://linktr.ee/chef_danielle_maupertuis
Where do you walk when you want to think?
I live in a beautiful area, near a wildlife sanctuary. I walk along the River Lea every morning, which is where I find inspiration for my desserts. St Albans is a stunning place to live and the people are friendly too.
What’s the first thing you do after you’ve woken up in the morning?
I have my first coffee with a slice of homemade seed bread and listen to the news.
My mind then wonders to what super gluten free and vegan creations I can create… something different… something that looks beautiful and tastes rather yummy!
I love to show that my desserts are for everyone and can be as fantastic as their non-gluten free and non-vegan counterparts!
Are things getting better or worse?
Things are going from strength to strength. My activities are expanding in all directions, and my challenge of popularizing vegan baking is gaining more and more support.
I love hosting my fine dining afternoon tea pop-ups – here in Hertfordshire and surrounding counties now too. Being invited to Florida last year to present an afternoon tea was quite a whirlwind – the Americans loved it!
If you could travel back in time and offer your younger self some advice, what would it be?
I’ve travelled quite a bit as a pastry chef, and they’ve been wonderful experiences. I would have loved to discover even more countries, especially China.
Do you speak any foreign languages?
My mother language is French. Originally from Belgium, I also have some knowledge of Dutch,
although I unfortunately lack practice. I lived in Greece for six years, so I speak Greek. And of course, English! It helps being from Belgium – I was baptised in chocolate!
What’s your favourite place to have breakfast in St Albans?
The Heartwood Café and Tearoom. They have a patio with an extraordinary view, where I usually present a vegan and gluten-free afternoon tea in the summer. It is a lovely venue – you must come along!
Wednesday or Saturday market?
Saturday market.
What was your best subject at school?
Maths and sciences.
What’s your favourite meal?
A spinach, lentils, mango and coconut curry. This is a recipe I created, and I would happily eat it every day! Like many chefs we like to eat simply while our clients enjoy our intricate creations!
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to become an astronomer. I had a small telescope in my room and observed the stars.
However, I have been a pastry chef for 45 years now, executive pastry chef (meaning working in 5*hotels) for 30 years.
It started at a bakery in Brussels… 4am, switch on the ovens, knead the dough, 6am, bake the first breads, I fell in love at first sight: The smell, the heat of the bakehouse, the cocoon, the feeling of well-being, of harmony… This love has never left me.
