Raphaël Solakyan reveals how Cédric Grolet’s viral pastry empire landed at COMO Metropolitan Singapore—blending French artistry, social media fame, and luxury hospitality for a one-of-a-kind dining experience.
In an irresistible episode of the Where2FromHere podcast, luxury hotel expert and global travel journalist Renae Leith-Manos sits down with the dynamic and charming Raphaël Solakyan, maître d’ of Cédric Grolet Singapore—the fourth outpost of the world-renowned French pastry maestro, and the first in Southeast Asia.
Cédric Grolet, a name that needs no introduction in haute pâtisserie, has amassed a cult-like global following. With over 12 million Instagram followers, Grolet has elevated pastry into an art form, transforming traditional viennoiserie and fruit desserts into sculptural masterpieces. His Paris and London patisseries are now international destinations. Singapore, with its blend of high-end sophistication and culinary curiosity, was the natural next step.
Tucked inside the sleek confines of the COMO Metropolitan Singapore, the new boutique patisserie is more than just a place to indulge. It’s an immersive experience—equal parts theatre, precision, and Parisian flair. And at the center of this newest venture is Solakyan, whose warm charisma and elite service credentials are helping shape the soul of Grolet’s expansion into Asia.
In this engaging conversation, Solakyan shares his personal journey from France to Southeast Asia—trading the romantic boulevards of Paris for the tropical buzz of Singapore’s Orchard Boulevard. With a background in luxury hospitality and an innate understanding of the emotional resonance of service, he brings a thoughtful lens to his role. For Solakyan, welcoming guests to Cédric Grolet Singapore isn’t just about elegance or efficiency—it’s about connection.
“It’s not only about serving a perfect pastry,” he tells Renae. “It’s about making someone feel something—through beauty, through care, through surprise. That’s hospitality.”
The conversation also explores the behind-the-scenes realities of opening a flagship patisserie for a globally recognized brand. Solakyan dives into the painstaking attention to detail required to uphold Grolet’s exacting standards—from sourcing ingredients to maintaining flawless presentation, and even adapting the menu subtly to respect regional tastes while preserving the essence of the brand.
He reflects on the unexpected cultural nuances of Singapore’s high-end clientele: sophisticated, globally savvy, and deeply attuned to quality. “The guests here know what excellence is,” he says. “They’ve travelled, they follow chefs, they appreciate precision. But they also value warmth and authenticity. That’s what we aim to deliver—French craftsmanship, yes, but with a local sensitivity.”
The duo also touch on the viral success of Grolet’s brand—how social media, particularly Instagram, has catapulted his creations to global fame. With pastries that are as photogenic as they are delicious, each launch becomes a cultural moment. From sculpted fruit tarts that mirror nature with hyperreal beauty to glossy, impossibly layered croissants, the visuals have driven queues, waitlists, and fervent fandom across continents.
But beyond the social media spectacle lies a powerful story of discipline, teamwork, and artistic integrity. Solakyan gives listeners an inside look into the day-to-day world of one of the planet’s most elite pastry kitchens—a place where every motion is choreographed, every crumb accounted for, and every guest moment measured with care.
Leith-Manos, who has spent her career exploring the world’s most refined hotels and restaurants, brings a seasoned, thoughtful voice to the conversation—asking the kinds of questions that reveal not just how the magic is made, but why it matters. Together, she and Solakyan discuss the broader shifts in luxury dining, the rise of experiential food, and how brands like Grolet’s are redefining what modern indulgence looks like in Asia.
For those fascinated by the intersection of culinary art and high-end hospitality, this episode is a rich, revealing listen. It’s a story not just about pastries, but about passion—about the meticulous craftsmanship, deep emotional investment, and global vision it takes to build a brand that resonates from Paris to Singapore.
Tune in now to Where2FromHere for an exclusive behind-the-scenes taste of Cédric Grolet’s Southeast Asian debut—and discover how one of the world’s most iconic pastry names is being brought to life, one exquisite creation at a time. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.
