Justin Burke-Samson: One of the Top 10 bakers in the South

Justin Burke-Samson, the manager of the Davidson Farmers Market, has opened a bakery called Bonjour Y’all next door to the Kindred restaurant where he was previously executive pastry chef. Bonjour Y’all replaces Gateau on Main Bakery and Dessert Bar in 700 square feet downtown.

Gateau on Main closed in early August.

The menu and environment of Bonjour Y’all reflects Burke-Samson’s taste for American comfort desserts and pastries.

The new bakery evokes a small Paris cafe, with inspiration from the French Quarters of Charleston and New Orleans. “Fun, comfort, and good times,” Burke-Samson said.

The menu includes breakfast pastries, savory pastries, cookies and bars, fresh baked breads, cakes, pies, tarts, and cobblers. The beverage menu includes coffee, sweet tea, seasonal drinks, house-made sodas, wine, and beer. There’s a pantry with jams, curds, dessert sauces, granola, dips and cheese spreads.

The business is located in an old house with a front porch and patio facing Main Street.

Tara Ragan, owner of Gateau on Main, originally acquired the space last summer.

“Getting a space on Main Street is difficult in Davidson, it goes quickly,” she said. She said she “put the cart in front of the horse and opened up before we were really ready.”

She reached out to Katy Kindred for advice and Burke-Samson’s name popped up.

Staff and wholesale clients moved over to Bonjour Y’all.

Burke-Samson, who is also a culinary writer, developed Kindred’s iconic milk bread and seasonal Southern desserts. He has been named one of the 10 top Southern Bakers by Bake from Scratch, and featured by Food & Wine, Bon Appetit and Garden & Gun.

His Eater.com article “Homophobia Almost Made Me Quit Being a Chef” gained national attention.