Praline isn’t just an ordinary café; it’s a distinctive multifunctional space where exceptional taste meets quality. At Ivane Tarkhnishvili Street #2, guests can enjoy delicious desserts, healthy lunches, and participate in confectionery masterclasses led by nationally renowned pastry chefs.
This innovative project was brought to life by three visionary individuals, each contributing their unique expertise to create a standout offering in the local market, known for its exceptional quality and creativity.
One of the founders, Maiko Antoshvili, has been instrumental in shaping Praline’s unique concept. In this interview, she shares insights into what makes Praline special.
What inspired the creation of Praline? Introduce the founders, and describe the range of services you offer.
Creating a multifunctional creative space was a shared goal of my business partners, Salome Chanturia, Ekaterine Natsvlishvili, and I. We wanted to blend a cafe with a pastry academy. Praline is designed for those who appreciate exceptional flavors in an aesthetically pleasing environment, and those who wish to explore confectionery as an art form. Our well-equipped kitchen hosts masterclasses led by esteemed pastry chefs, offering a step-by-step approach to mastering the craft.
Why is it called ‘Praline’? Tell us more about the café’s identity.
The name ‘Praline’ is inspired by a classic French confection made from nuts and caramelized sugar, which features prominently in many of our desserts. This name reflects our dedication to French confectionery traditions and our commitment to exceptional quality.
One of our co-founders, Eka chose the name. Her experience and passion for high standards have played a significant role in quickly establishing our strong reputation.
You operated in trial mode over the summer. What feedback did you receive, and what were the results?
We gathered extensive feedback to refine our offerings during our summer trial period. This approach allowed us to fine-tune our products and services based on customer input. We are pleased with our clients’ positive responses and growing loyalty, which reaffirms our commitment to providing a unique and satisfying experience, despite the relatively short trial phase.
The confectionery sector is quite competitive in Georgia. What makes ‘Praline’ stand out?
The confectionery industry is truly competitive, but ‘Praline’ stands out through its exceptional quality and unique flavors. Our skilled chefs create a harmonious blend of distinctive tastes and visually stunning presentations.
Our concept is unique because it integrates a confectionery academy within the café. This aspect elevates dessert creation to an art form and demonstrates our dedication to advancing the craft through collaboration with top professionals.
Tell us about the range of products you offer.
‘Praline’ offers a considerable range of products. Apart from eye-catching desserts and celebratory cakes, our menu provides a wide range of options for a healthy breakfast and nutritious lunch. We aim to make our selection as suitable for customers’ demands as possible.
Lastly, tell us more about your future goals.
Our confectionery academy is now up and running, offering individuals passionate about the field the chance to gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience through expert-led masterclasses.
We’ve already held our first masterclass, focused on croissants, conducted by our head pâtissier, Mikhail Ptskhaladze, and I should add – it was a great success!
In addition to Georgian experts, our academy will welcome renowned pâtissiers from around the world, who will visit Georgia with a singular mission: to share their expertise and create unforgettable flavors.
These are just a few of the exciting plans we can reveal now, but we are confident that the Praline Academy will continue to evolve while nurturing the growth of aspiring confectioners.
