Café La Chouette is a Montreal-based coffee shop that offers the unique culinary experience of cookie decorating. Whether the cookie decorating is done as an individual activity or as a group outing, Café La Chouette is a place that also provides coffee and a wide variety of bakery foods to its diverse clientele. We spoke with owner Jihane Ghozayel to learn more about the sweet treats offered at Café La Chouette.
What is your business called and what does it do?
Our business is called “Café La Chouette.” At Café La Chouette, we offer a delightful combination of exceptional coffee and interactive cookie decorating experiences. Our goal is to provide a warm and inviting space for people of all ages to enjoy quality beverages while engaging in the creative and fun activity of decorating their own delicious cookies. Whether you’re looking for a cozy family outing, a unique date idea, or simply a place to unwind and have fun, Café La Chouette is the perfect destination
What made you want to do this work?
I was drawn to this work due to my deep-seated passion for bakery, particularly in the art of decorating cakes for birthdays. Over time, my focus shifted towards the intricate world of decorating cookies. The joy I find in this passion is something I wholeheartedly enjoy sharing with everyone today. Opening Café La Chouette allows me to blend my love for quality coffee with the delight of creative cookie decorating, creating a space where people can experience and share in the joy that baking and creativity bring.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
I aimed to create a unique and inclusive experience that caters to various demographics, offering a space for families, couples, and individuals to enjoy quality beverages while engaging in a creative and fun activity.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
Our clientele ranges from families with children looking for a fun activity, couples seeking a unique date idea, to anyone who enjoys a creative and social coffee experience. We aim to be inclusive and welcoming to all age groups.
How does your business make money? How does it work?
We generate revenue through the sale of our beverages, cookie decorating kits, and pre-decorated cookies, which cater to various preferences and skill levels. Our pricing starts at less than $10 for a basic kit, and we also offer original activity kits for specific holidays such as Christmas and Valentine’s Day. Customers can immerse themselves in the festive spirit by creating themed designs.
We have multiple points of sale in Villeray, Outremont and Laurentides of our products, in addition to our shop.
Our business model includes the option for customers to make reservations online. We allocate a fixed period of 1.5 hours for each reservation, during which customers can enjoy their drinks, engage in cookie decorating, and relish the creative process. While reservations are not mandatory, we highly recommend them, especially during peak hours such as weekends, vacation periods, and Friday nights. This ensures a smoother experience for our customers and allows us to accommodate everyone effectively. Upon arrival, customers have the flexibility to choose from a variety of cookies, colours, and decorating tools to personalize their experience.”
Where in the city can we find your profession?
We are located on the Plateau Mont-Royal area, at 3864 rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2W 2M2
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
Whenever people see our beautifully decorated cookies, they often ask how we managed to create something so perfect that they could not eat them. I usually respond by saying that it takes a lot of practice and patience.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
The best part is seeing the joy and satisfaction on our customers’ faces as they create beautiful cookie designs and enjoy our delicious drinks. It’s incredibly rewarding to be a part of those special moments.
The most challenging aspect is managing high demand during peak hours, especially on weekends. Balancing the quality of service and ensuring everyone has a great experience can be a logistical challenge.
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
What do you call a cookie that tells jokes? a smart cookie!
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
I have great admiration for ‘Miss Lili Boutique’, a local business whose owner is a true model of entrepreneurship. She is constantly innovating and improving her business.
