Search Q&A
Baking supplies
Hi,
I am looking for products that normally are not sold in the supermarkets for baking - products like pastry butter, different specialized flours for bread, syrups, chocolate icings, etc. These are only sold to professional bakers and I need to have a VAT number to be able to buy them. As a hobbyist, where can I find all these products? I have tried Makro, Colruyt, Delhaize, Aveve but am told that I need to go to specialized places like Ranson to buy them. And I need a VAT number. Help please if you know how I can get hold of these things.
As my name suggests I am a retired chef and caterer, I am afraid you will find it difficult to find the supplies you require without the VAT number, and other people with the accreditation would not be prepared to let you use theirs as that would affect their returns. If you are intending to set up in business you just might have to go down the legal route the same as the rest of us. You should have a word with a start-up accountant, who will do all the paperwork for you. The one I used is no longer in Belguim but a google should find you one.One thing , you need a University/college degree to start a business here, perhaps a call to Part&A, not sure of the spelling, would give you an idea of what you can do.
I don't know what in particular you are looking for, but there are a lot of specialized cake shops out there (fondant, icing, ...):
http://www.detaartenfeekontich.be/
http://www.gebakenco.be/winkel.php
http://www.taarteliciouswebshop.be/
http://www.t-graantje.be/producten/producten.php?nav=3&p_g_id=3 (a good selection of flour)
Just google the ingredients you are looking for in Flemish or French, with the search engine on Belgium of course, and you'll find shops.
Organical shops have a good selection of bread flours. And as a hobbyist, isn't the fun of it making your own mixes?
Pastry Butter? Is this an American product or do you mean butter that a professional pastry chef would use? Unsalted Normandy butter is normally the butter of choice for pastry chefs. That is definitely available in Carrefour Planet. As well as Claire's suggestions, there are also UK based companies that mail to Europe. Companies like this http://www.cakescookiesandcraftsshop.co.uk. If you google it you will find loads. There are also UK mills and baking suppliers that will mail to Europe or that you can possibly visit in person. http://www.shipton-mill.com is one of the best mills in the UK and http://bakerybits.co.uk is a good source of flours etc.
I was thinking the same about pastry butter... Nothing is better than good old real butter for baking.
