French Craftsmanship, Reimagined Through Heritage:
Verzenay is grounded in classical French pastries, meticulous lamination, precise entremets, and icons like the Paris-Brest....
Read moreFrench Craftsmanship, Reimagined Through Heritage:
Verzenay is grounded in classical French pastries, meticulous lamination, precise entremets, and icons like the Paris-Brest. Chef Arshiya’s Indian heritage and Midwestern home add creative dimensions that are uniquely ours. Pastries such as Desi Velour and Chicago Mix macarons show how we bridge tradition with her memories and Chicago culture. Rooted in Indian heritage, refined by French training, and grounded in Chicago, we honor French discipline while telling new, personal stories through flavor.
Sustainable sourcing and Market roots
Verzenay was born at Green City Market. Twelve years later, that tent-to-bakery journey still anchors us as we help lead Chicago’s sourcing ethos: cook with the seasons, know your farmers, honor the craft. The market’s growers shape our menu and our standards, and we have set the bar for sourcing with intention and integrity.
We choose flours we stand behind - Meadowlark Organics, Central Milling and Grands Moulins de Paris; ethically sourced couvertures from Cacao Barry and Guittard. Every croissant, bread, and pastry reflects these relationships. From market stall to storefront, we’ve made principled sourcing the rule, not the exception
Our Commitment to Community & Women in Food
We proudly support Chicago Chefs Cook and initiatives like Evolved Network and Fundraiser for Tigray, using food to uplift communities locally and globally.
At Verzenay, we champion women by offering meaningful employment, hands-on training, and leadership opportunities in the culinary field and empowering them to achieve financial independence and pursue their passion. Our work reflects a deep commitment to community, inclusion, and the belief that food can be a powerful force for change.
Executive Chef and Owner Arshiya draws on her training at Paris's Ferrandi School of Culinary Arts and experience at the five-star Le Meurice Hotel, renowned Arnaud Delmontel bakery to refine the artisanal skills she now applies to create exceptional French pastries, offering a genuine taste of Parisian craftsmanship in the heart of Chicago.
Verzênay’s mission is to offer chef-crafted creations with unparalleled taste and quality using locally sourced, clean ingredients. The bakery values its direct relationships with farmers, supporting the community and sourcing the finest produce.
Arshiya and her husband Aqeel started their small business in January 2014—selling at Green City Market and supplying to hotels and coffee shops. In July 2021, Verzênay opened its very first store in Lincoln Park.
Team Verzenay Chicago!
