MANILA, Philippines – The French Baker is celebrating its 25th year in the business by giving away a round-trip, all-expenses paid 10-day trip to Paris, France for a group of four.
A minimum of 500 pesos worth of purchase at any The French Baker outlet entitles customers to one raffle coupon.
The winner and three companions will get to spend at least three days in each of France’s key cities: Paris, the old Roman City of Nimes, and Monte Carlo.
In addition to this, The French Baker is also giving away 25 gift certificates worth P5,000.00 each.
Speaking at an event at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall, founder Johnlu G. Koa thanked everyone for supporting The French Baker for the past 25 years. He recounted his experience in Paris, France, and how it inspired him to open the first branch in the Philippines.
The event overflowed with food as guests were treated with samplers of The French Baker’s best tasting dishes – from macarons and cream puffs shaped like a swan, to tapas and wine. Entree included barbecued pork skewers and shrimp hors d’oeuvres. For the main course guests got to sample flavorful rice pilaf with lechon baboy (roasted pork).
The night was capped with a performance from Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano, who looks more amazing after celebrating his 50th birthday last August.
Full press release follows. Bon voyage!
French Baker launches Paris fly-off promo
The French Baker, the original French bakery-cafe that first opened in SM City North Edsa 25 years ago; together with Insight Vacations, Rajah Travel Corporation and Etihad Airways, today launched “Visit Paris in Summer 2015”, a raffle promo where one lucky winner will get the chance to visit and experience Paris, France next year.
This much-anticipated promo marks French Baker’s 25 years of bringing European-style breads in the mass market, and the company’s way of saying ‘thank you’ to the customers who have embraced and supported the patisserie over the years.
“It was in 1985 when I travelled to Europe for the first time that I fell in love with PARIS and her baked goodies. Since then I’ve dreamt of doing the same so that I can impart a similar experience to our kababayans in the Philippines,” shared Johnlu G. Koa, professor turned entrepreneur, and now Founder and CEO of The French Baker.
“It is for this same reason that we wanted to give back to our loyal customers the same French experience not just through our products, but by giving one lucky winner a chance to see and feel for themselves the beauty and charm of Paris.”
Experience France
“Visit Paris in Summer 2015” gives one lucky winner and three of his companions an all-expense paid 10-day trip to Paris through luxury escorted tours provider Insight Vacations, together with Rajah Travel Corporation, and Etihad Airways as the official airline.
Every P500 worth of dine-in and take-out single receipt from any The French Baker branch entitles the customer one raffle coupon. The promo will run from November 5, 2014 until March 15, 2015. Grand Draw will be on March 20, 2015.
25 The French Baker gift certificates worth P5,000.00 each are also up for grabs.
The grand prize winner will get to spend at least three days in each of France’ key cities, including Paris, the old Roman City of Nimes; and finally in Monte Carlo.
“People may ask why four tickets for one winner, and not four winners with one ticket each?” Koa furthers. “The reason is that we wanted the winner to see the charms of France and experience that magical feeling together with family and friends, and not just by themselves.”
“We are very excited for this promo,” said Sheryl Lim, Regional Director for Insight Vacations. “We see it as a perfect way for The French Baker to celebrate 25 years in the country, and for showing their gratitude to their loyal customers.”
Insight Vacations also launched its 2015 itinerary and magazine, which is available through Rajah Travel Corporation.
“As a company known for our world-class travel itineraries, we will make sure that through Insight Vacations, we will provide the winners with only the most immersive look at French history and culture.” said Aileen Clemente, Rajah Travel Corporation Chairman and President.
Likewise for Etihad Airways that will fly the winners in class.
“We give utmost importance to the safety and comfort of our customers,” said Juan Torres, General Manager for the Philippines at Etihad Airways. “Our winner will surely experience great service and hospitality that the Etihad Airways is known for.”
25 years of The French Baker
Apart from the raffle promo, The French Baker also featured a spectacle of fashion, art, music, entertainment and food in the form of tableaus at the Fashion Hall of SM Megamall:
The Art tableau, which are decorated with paintings from France; the Fashion Tableau, with models dressed in Parisian Chic; the Wine and Cheese tableau, which offered exquisite cheeses from different parts of Europe; and the Food tableau, which provided a delectable choice of entrees.
Opening its first branch at the SM City North Edsa in 1989, The French Baker began as a startup selling French-inspired breads and pastries such as baguettes, croissants, sourdough and tarts alongside local favorites like pan de sal and ensaymada, until it expanded into a casual dine-in that also offers soups, salads, pasta and pizza.
It prides itself as the first establishment to introduce European-style breads and pastries in the Philippine market, and the first to employ the nightly half-price sale to ensure the freshness of baked goods to be sold the next day.
Today, The French Baker has 52 branches all over the country, and has expanded to include The French Baker “Salon de The” edition.
“This is a noteworthy milestone not only for me but for all of us. I thank you all for the support, especially those who have been patronizing our products since we opened 25 years ago. We have achieved so much, and I hope you keep on supporting us so we can do more in the future,” Koa said.
Another milestone
Meanwhile, Koa has garnered yet another milestone for his exceptional business management performance after receiving an award for the Outstanding Category of the Asia-Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards (APEA) held recently at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City.
APEA is an awards ceremony organized by Enterprise Asia that honors entrepreneurs in the Asia-Pacific region who have shown outstanding leadership and innovation when it comes to managing their businesses. It aims to bring together businessmen from different countries and improve the economic development across the region.
Koa is one of the very first Filipino entrepreneur in the history of APEA to be given the coveted award. Speaking at The French Baker 25th anniversary celebration, Koa said he is proud to be able to show the world the passion and perseverance that drives many Filipino entrepreneurs like him.
“I am very happy and proud to be the first Filipino entrepreneur to receive this prestigious award. This is a significant achievement not just for me but for all the hardworking entrepreneurs here in the country,” Koa said.
The French Baker 25th anniversary celebration (photos)
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Gary Valenciano sings “Go The Distance” (video)
