Graison Gill is the owner of Bellegarde Bakery, founded in 2013 in New Orleans, LA. Graison has been baking professionally for over eleven years and was trained at the San Francisco Baking Institute under Mac McConnell and Frank Sally. For Graison, bread is more than a business or hobby: it's his passion and his identity.
Going against the grain, Bellegarde stone-mills organic and heirloom grains to bake into each and every loaf of its bread and pastas. Traditional techniques combined with identity preserved ingredients produce flour, pasta, grits, pastries and breads that are rich in flavor, passion and history.
Going against the grain, Bellegarde stone-mills organic and heirloom grains to bake into each and every loaf of its bread and pastas. Traditional techniques combined with identity preserved ingredients produce flour, pasta, grits, pastries and breads that are rich in flavor, passion and history.
Services
The name of our bakery comes from the first recorded bakery in Louisiana. Founded in 1722 by Francois Lemesle, the first Bellegarde opened its doors in the French Quarter on the corners of what were to become St. Ann and Chartres Streets. Although the bakery did not last more than a few years, its presence contributed to the great culinary tradition of New Orleans.
Our corn has been grown in Baldwin County, Alabama by the same family since 1875. This corn is heirloom; no one in the entire world grows this variety. It harvests into a gorgeous kaleidoscope of colored kernels which cook and bake beautifully into flavorful, healthy grits. Serve with Gulf shrimp for the perfect dish.
You can purchase the weekly subscription and then choose the day you'd like to pick up. Instead of a basket, we'll be giving you a beautiful and roomy Bellegarde tote (which you'll return with each week) to accommodate fresh and delicious items for the bakery. Your bag will include a rotation of your favorite Bellegarde breads, pastas, pastries and flours.
Congratulations to Graison Gill of Bellegarde Bakery - James Beard Finalist for Outstanding Baker, 2020. Congratulations to Graison Gill of Bellegarde Bakery - James Beard Semifinalist for Outstanding Baker, 2020. Across the U.S., neighborhood bakeries continue to provide loaves and reassurance to their communities in a time of uncertainty.
BELLEGARDE is the most unique bakery in the South. A nationally and internationally respected bakery, we work closely to affect policy change on both local and state levels. To place a new bread order with us (wholesale or retail), please email orders (at) bellegardebakery (dot) com or call us at (504) 827-0008.
Reviews (10)
Emily Rosenzweig
Jan 17, 2022
Report
Best sourdough bread in New Orleans, and their pastries are top notch too -- don't miss the morning buns! Staff is friendly and the space is beautiful! -- Edited to say nine months later that the staff used to be friendly but the last four times I've gone, including today, it's been the same woman at the counter and she has been decidedly *not* friendly. No smile, no greeting. It's a bummer.
R. Ritchie Shaner Ii
Oct 04, 2021
Report
Bryce Sibley
Sep 24, 2021
Report
Emma Coen
Aug 28, 2021
Report
Great neighborhood bakery. Their country batard was so good that my dog stole the last few pieces pieces of my loaf a couple weeks back and I am still longing for the final bites I will never get to cherish 😬 "happy hour" drinks from 12-2p make this a great place to stop by in the early afternoon for a coffee or tea. It's a bit expensive, but the flavors and effort they put into their quality products shows and is very much worth it if you cherish an expert baked treat, IMO.
Doug Garland
Aug 20, 2021
Report
I don't leave reviews often, but I feel compelled to do so here. Bought the croissants which are like Starbucks' and breads are poorly seasoned. Looked around and the sandwiches are skimpy, pasta is crude, and the pizza seems like Domenica knockoffs. I feel bad for the ingredients. Products and service not worth the price or ethical matters. I do feel fleeced. I've spoken to ex-employees and hospitality connections who have all uniformly stated that this bakery is abusive and toxic with ownership being classist, spoiled, and exploitative. Product certainly not worth supporting management's problematic
Shelby Cross
Jul 18, 2021
Report
The bread here is decent, I didn't try any pastries because all of them have some sort of dairy in it. The prices were quite high, and while I ate the entire baguette (yes, in one sitting) I was having a difficult time justifying spending that much money. Costco sells a pack of two baguettes for $4 that never disappoint. Given that this bakery adds sourdough into the baguettes, perhaps I expected it to taste more "sourdoughy". Nonetheless the bread tasted good. The sourdough sesame bun was a nice texture, but I would only suggest you getting that item if you really like sesame seeds... If you really
Katherine Madigan
Apr 19, 2021
Report
This bakery sells the best of the best. Everything they have is delicious, from the pastries and breads, to their pastas, or if you’re lucky enough to get one of their amazing pizzas you’ll be blown away; not to mention all the local artisans for whom’s products they sell! If you’re a home baker they have everything you need too, including fresh milled flours. And if you have a chance to take a baking class there, DO IT!!! You’ll learn so much and take home such a bounty you’ll be giving some to everyone you know. They were so wonderful and conscientious and provided NOLA all our baked
Martin Ayton
Jan 14, 2021
Report
It was pretty easy to get here (by car) and parking was not difficult. We came for the bread, but we will definitely be back for the stone-ground flour.
The young man who served us was knowledgeable, helpful and friendly without being at all pushy, and the breads come in a pleasing, but not overwhelming, variety.
The Baguette we bought had a great colour and crackle to the crust with a really nice texture and 'chew' to the bread - I aspire to be able to bake bread this good! We also bought a fig and pecan Couronne which was quite different, but equally excellent and it had a really pleasant,
The young man who served us was knowledgeable, helpful and friendly without being at all pushy, and the breads come in a pleasing, but not overwhelming, variety.
The Baguette we bought had a great colour and crackle to the crust with a really nice texture and 'chew' to the bread - I aspire to be able to bake bread this good! We also bought a fig and pecan Couronne which was quite different, but equally excellent and it had a really pleasant,
Suzan Wood
Jan 12, 2021
Report
If you’re new to Bellgarde Bakery, I encourage you to try all the products. Whether in person or purchasing online, you cannot go wrong. This is a high-quality bakery.
Thank you to all the wonderful people at Bellgarde Bakery for working through a pandemic, and doing the best possible job imaginable. I am so impressed with your flour that I order it all the way from New York State. I normally cut regular AP flour with some of your out of this world, best tasting flour, to achieve a wonderful loaf of bread, pasta, and other baked goods. I recently tried some of your macaroni and found it every
Thank you to all the wonderful people at Bellgarde Bakery for working through a pandemic, and doing the best possible job imaginable. I am so impressed with your flour that I order it all the way from New York State. I normally cut regular AP flour with some of your out of this world, best tasting flour, to achieve a wonderful loaf of bread, pasta, and other baked goods. I recently tried some of your macaroni and found it every
Marlena Nip
Jan 19, 2020
Report
I’ve always thought highly of Bellegarde bakery having had their bread at restaurants around town and often buying a loaf at the grocery store. The quality never ceases to amaze me.
We went to the bakery and retail store, and wow. We were greeted warmly by the employees and even the owner. He helped us pick out some flours for my own home baking. He also spent time chatting with us about the bakery from the milling process to where he sources grain from. Really amazing. Highly recommend for the quality of product and the amazing customer service. Will always support this company.
We went to the bakery and retail store, and wow. We were greeted warmly by the employees and even the owner. He helped us pick out some flours for my own home baking. He also spent time chatting with us about the bakery from the milling process to where he sources grain from. Really amazing. Highly recommend for the quality of product and the amazing customer service. Will always support this company.
