Brique chef Raquel “Rocky” Rockquemore-Breiz shares the story behind her decadent creations.
When Dwayne “ the Rock ” Johnson has a slicker Clarence Day , French toastis involved . But do n’t carry your monetary standard , potentially soggy slash of livid bread . His French toast follow in brick shape — a innovation of one of his private chefs , Raquel “ Rocky ” Rockquemore - Breiz .
“ I was already seduce thick cut Gallic toast for my kinfolk and friends and when I started working for Dwayne , he asked for French toast as one of his cheat meals but specified he require bigger French toast , ” Rockquemore - Breiz explains . She was exalt , as she already had a authentic recipe up her sleeve . All that shift were the topping . “ There ’s no rules in his chess meals as opposed to his regular weekly dieting , so I would do aTeremana - infused whipped ointment and coconut chips , and recreate around with the syrups until the peanut butter coconutsyruphappened . ”
Johnson began sharing exposure of the effete French pledge , pile high with a mountain of whipped cream and dripping with sirup , and people began point out — and inquiring . The need and pursuit were so great that Breiz , alongside her married man Daniel who is also a private chef , decided to host pop - ups and make their brand , Brique , official in 2020 . Their pop - ups traveled along the California seashore and even made its way to Hawaii and Las Vegas , where the combination of coconut , peanut butter , and brioche was unwaveringly welcome .
Photo courtesy of Brique
Prior to buzz off their current brick - and - mortar , the yoke were sling Gallic goner in front of their homes . “ We had a nice operation going , but it was too much for the neighbors , ” Breiz laugh . “ And I did n’t desire people just knowing where we be , or getting stalkers , ” Rockquemore - Breiz adds .
alternatively , the pair resolve to take the plunge and sign on to a locating at Los Angeles ’s Westfield Century City , a swish mall often visited by Hollywood principal . Chrissy Teigenhas even stopped by and shared her approval .
Although Brique might be remindful ofShibuya honey toastin shape and stature , the two are quite different . “ We did n’t really make love that it was a matter until client take off come in and ask us if this was from Japan , ” Breiz say . While they ’re both bread cube , the homework and topping are dissimilar . Shibuya goner is typically excavate out and satisfy with addition like chicken feed emollient , saucy fruit , and rolled wafer before being mizzle with honey . Brique is in its own class .
The Gallic toast at Brique starts with a generous cube of brioche , pantry and feathery on the interior . It ’s dipped in a custard bath — enough to get a sweet cinnamon software without being overly eggy — and griddled until fortunate brownness .
The base of a Brique French pledge is telling as is , but the topping enhance the dish tenfold . Thevanilla beanwhipped pick is downlike , with existent identifiable flecks of vanilla bean . The earthnut butter coconut maple sirup toes the line of business between sweet and savoury and the nuttiness prevents the ensemble from becoming cloying .
finally , a sprinkle of cocoanut chips provides crunch and another layer of tropic look . Every component is thoughtfully map and the upshot are immensely gratifying .
The combination of element was solidified by Johnson , whose go - to flavors are always monkey nut butter , Cocos nucifera , and bananas . “ He ’s been so supportive , ” Rockquemore - Breiz smiles , which is why they decided to call their cosmos the Rock Toast . It also helps that Rockquemore - Breiz go by Chef Rocky .
Although the Rock Toast is currently the only point available on the menu , the pair are constantly experiment with new flavors and infused syrups . That being said , they know they ’ve found a winner with the Rock Toast . “ Customers call it the Louis Vuitton of French pledge , ” Breiz laughs — but its decadency makes this moniker pretty blot on .
