A Taste of France
La Mademoiselle Macaron blends French-inspired treats, afternoon tea and a whole lot of heart.
It’s hard to imagine that the bustling tea room, café and bakery Mademoiselle Macaron began with a newlywed woman baking for fun in her apartment after leaving her corporate career behind. What started as a simple pastime would eventually grow into something much bigger.
“I knew it was meant to be,” she says, “because everything fell into place so easily.”
La Mademoiselle Macaron is the French-inspired bakery Raquel Dilsaver owns and operates along Mullica Hill’s Main Street in a historic barn. In addition to an array of delectable pastries and housemade macarons, the bakery has become renowned for its afternoon tea service.
“I’ve always been obsessed with everything French,” Raquel says. “I took French in school until I was fluent and I minored in French in college. Then I took a trip to France and absolutely loved everything about it. I also grew up cooking in the kitchen with my grandmother.”
It was perfect timing, then, when Raquel’s mother-in-law needed to find a new tenant and the idea of taking over the space and opening a bakery was born. Surprisingly, the historic horse barn was the ideal location for a French bakery, transporting its guests to the French countryside with soft accordion music playing as soon as they enter.
“I always loved the idea of going to afternoon tea with mini desserts and light food,” says Raquel. “It took off really, really quickly. Most people are coming here to have tea.”
The seasonal tea menus feature miniature sandwiches such as roasted turkey with fig and brie on a baguette, quiche Lorraine in puff pastry, and chicken salad with grapes and pecans on a croissant. Guests can choose from an assortment of Harney & Sons teas, including the sweet and fruity house Paris tea, and enjoy unlimited refills. Sweets include an assortment of French pastries, including, of course, macarons.
“The first macaron flavor I ever made was raspberry because that is my personal favorite,” Raquel says, adding she makes the raspberry jam from scratch. “I’m obsessed with using the freshest flavors that I can. … Our most popular would be vanilla, pistachio, cookie butter and the Paris tea, which is our house tea and we infuse it into a cream and fill the macaron with it. It’s so good.”
Because space is limited, reservations for afternoon tea are highly recommended. What’s more, La Mademoiselle Macaron is closed to the public on Sundays in order to host special events, which include everything from bridal to baby showers.
As the years went on, Raquel’s life changed—she’s now a mother of three—and La Mademoiselle Macaron has grown alongside her kids.
“I love that I’m still able to be a present mom while pursuing my passion and growing my business” she says.
Since opening her doors 10 years ago, Raquel has learned a lot, especially the importance of putting God first and building a team for support.
“You cannot do it all alone,” Raquel says. “In the beginning, I was so focused on everything being perfect and being in control. It really hindered my growth. This changed when I got pregnant my first time because I knew it wasn’t sustainable. It pushed me to delegate and find people who had talents I don’t have and to let them shine. It helped us grow.”
Raquel’s foundation for her business and home life is rooted in her love for Jesus. “‘Let all that you do be done in love’ is one of my key Bible verses I’ve built my business on,” Raquel explains. “My passion for what I do comes from me wanting to share the love I have received. I believe I am blessed to be a blessing.
“Whether it’s baking macarons or cleaning the bathrooms, I do it so God is glorified in everything. I think people can really see the love I have for what I do and I’m so thankful for the wonderful team I am privileged to work alongside and the abundance of regular repeat customers who choose to support my dream.”
La Mademoiselle Macaron
Mullica Hill
(856) 478-8176
