Exclusive: We speak to Derby Pyclet Parlour’s new owner who shares exciting plans for future
You can get to meet new owner Marie at the Sadler Gate Food Trail next month
The Pyclet Parlour may have closed its doors to its Sadler Gate operation, however a new chapter is around the corner.
Marie Stanway, 44, from Derby, is the new owner of the independent food business.
With over 21 years of hospitality experience under her belt working at high profile places including Rolls Royce, University of Derby, Derby City Council and Wonky Table, Marie is ready for her next culinary challenge.
Marie shared her hopes and aspirations with DerbyWorld and what people can expect from her pyclet business in the coming months.
Marie is armed with knowledge about the origins of the Pyclet Parlour, having firstly been a customer, then working alongside then-owner Katie Gibson.
The opportunity came up and Marie was keen to take up the Pyclet Parlour.
Speaking about the upcoming opening and the acquisition of one of Derbyshire’s popular businesses, Marie said she was ‘very excited.’
She added: “I’m taking the business properly back to basics, there won’t be a shop just yet. I just want to build the business up for now.
“I will be focusing on packet sales and local distributors, one of which is the shop at Sadler Gate [Heritage Centre].
“Then when I do hopefully get a stall in the Guildhall, I’ll decide on next steps nearer to the time.”
Pyclets were originally sold by the Monk Family in a rustic barrow set-up outside the Guildhall in 1864.
For Marie to explore the Guildhall as a site to sell her pyclets can be described as a poetic circle of life.
Marie said: “It will be quite interesting to take it back to where it all began, that’s where all the pyclets were first sold, on the wheelbarrow. It’s where Katie first started the business too.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Limited-edition flavours may be introduced in the future, but fans of pyclets can rest assured that the core recipe will stay the same.
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“I value repeat customers and want to reassure them that the recipe will stay the same.”
Marie will be baking from a hygiene-rated kitchen that belongs to her mother, who is also in the food industry, making chutneys, jams and cakes.
It is clear a love of food runs in the family, her nephew is also a chef and there is a talk of him creating flavour-explosion ingredients such as maple syrup bacon.
Marie is a keen sustainability fan who wants to make her business model plastic-free ‘as much as possible.’
She said: “I’m going to try to do zero waste as well, both of these factors are really important to me.”
Marie is keen to spread the word about zero waste and educate people how to avoid wasting money on food.
She said: “I’ll be sharing food tips across socials, of how to use pyclets that may be going a bit stale, I’ve got lots of ideas and I can’t wait to share them.”
You can get to meet Marie and taste her pyclets at Sadler Gate Food Trail on Saturday September 7, 2024.