My Story
DOLCE is my independent business that I founded in 2017 and it is both the result of an inborn passion for baking and a personal challenge with a desire to get back in the game.
I was born and raised in the beautiful city of Naples – in the south of Italy, in a traditional neapolitan family where "cooking" has always meant not just "making food" but a way to take care of the people you love.
After earning a law degree in a renowned Italian university, I became a criminal barrister, spending hours of my days in court rooms and legal firms. One day, I realised that I was not happy with how my life was going on.
So I decided to hang up the gown to the wall and don the apron: I wanted to become a professional Pastry Chef! That's why I moved to London, to pursue my true passion and reinvent myself...
I first worked as an assistant Head Chocolatier in a luxury chocolate boutique, then as an apprentice Pastry Chef in an awarded French pâtisserie.
After these working experiences, I decided to improve myself to the very best level and get the prestigious Diplôme de Pâtisserie at the world leading culinary school Le Cordon Bleu, in London. I brilliantly graduated in December 2017.
Doing so, I just felt like I was following my real path and my dream.
I created DOLCE with one ambition: to bring the Italian traditional "dessert canapés" (mignon pâtisserie) in London, but with a modern and young eye - giving my personal twist to the classic fine Italian pastries.
I chose to focus on these one-bite sized pastries for many reasons: first of all, it was a way to go back in the past, when as a child I used to eat and enjoy them with my family on Sundays lunches.
When I bake my pastries I feel at home, even if I am miles away.
In Italy, we call them "mignon", it means "small": these pastries are actually "mini" (like canapés) but very rich in their taste and beautiful to look at. This aspect is a characteristic that really fits the person I am: tiny and "little" but with a lot of energy and a strong personality!
All my delicacies are the result of memories of my childhood, my family traditions handed down from generations, precious inherited recipes and my personal interpretations of them - combined with unusual flavors put together to give you an unexpected explosion of taste in your mouth!
I use simple but high quality, fresh ingredients - staying away from unnatural preservatives, colourings and gelatine (DOLCE is vegetarian friendly!).
Everything is individually handmade from scratch - to create the finest Italian pastries that are not only visually beautiful and colourful, but also incredibly tasty!
I believe that eating a sweet has to be a surprising experience, that’s why each single pastry is unique, finished to the highest standard to bring you delicacies that are able to turn your special moments into unforgettable experiences.
My best satisfaction is to give you - through the result of my passion - "mini" bites of happiness!
Serena De Filippis
