25/02/2025
Mardi gras, a great theme for grocery stores
In 2025, Mardi gras falls on Tuesday, March 4, officially marking the beginning of Lent for those who follow the Christian tradition, which will last until Easter. The celebration of Mardi gras has long been synonymous with feasting, also celebrating the end of carnival. It is therefore the last “fat” day before the 47 days of fasting, or at least abstinence.
Mardi Gras is also associated with conviviality and culinary pleasures. The festival is therefore an excellent opportunity for grocery stores to showcase all the products that can be used to make the sweets associated with this celebration. These are mainly sweet dishes that are prepared during this period.
PANCAKES, WAFFLES OR DOUGHNUTS ?
Crêpes, beignets and waffles are in the spotlight. Crêpes are very popular in the west of the country, waffles in the north, while beignets tend to be more of a southern specialty. Even if pastries similar to doughnuts can be found in the “guenilles” of Auvergne, the bugnes of Aix-en-Provence or the “ganses” of Nice (specially prepared for carnival).
An opportunity, for example, to reconnect with the Maison Percelay. Present at the last edition of Gourmet Selection, Percelay is a Breton family business located near Quimper. They have been making crêpes by hand for 50 years, but they also produce countless artisanal biscuits - galoche bigoudenne, madeleines, palets bretons and the unmissable kouign-amann, a Breton cake.
The giant waffles of the Biscuiterie du Quercy (Photo: Biscuiterie du Quercy)
You can also treat yourself to the giant fresh egg waffles from the Biscuiterie du Quercy, also present at Gourmet Selection in 2024. A regional specialty, these fresh egg waffles are a must for lovers of old-fashioned biscuits. Delicious and crispy, they can be enjoyed or devoured depending on your mood! There are also the gourmet chouchous de la Sucrerie, a real Mardi Gras treat. Not to mention the chocolate and sweet shops.
For grocers who still have trouble deciding on the type of food products to showcase in their shop, just do a search on the online marketplace Ankorstore, a partner of Gourmet Selection. It is a real gastronomic “Aladdin's cave” where you can find everything you need for the perfect end-of-carnival celebration. Because, in addition to French traditions, delicatessens will also find inspiration in Mardi Gras celebrations from all over the world. Like the one in New Orleans or those celebrated in the West Indies. With very different gourmet recipes...