Embracing the Sweet Bounty of the Gorge

ÉDESKE PATISSERIE GROWS FROM MARKET BOOTH TO A BRICK-AND-MORTAR SHOP

THE BOUNTY OF FRESH PRODUCE that can be sourced throughout the Hood River Valley and Columbia River Gorge is plentiful. For many, that’s precisely why they have chosen to call this special place home. That sentiment rings true for business owners Tamara Bartucz Biscardi and James Biscardi who launched Édeske Patisserie in May 2022.

“The community is invested in knowing where their food comes from,” says James. “We were looking at creating a sustainable lifestyle, where the land could provide. Now, the land provides for this business.”

Édeske Patisserie is a European-style chocolate and dessert shop that has grown quickly thanks to the enthusiastic support of the community and visitors alike. But as with any small business, it took plenty of perseverance, dedication and creativity to build it from dream to reality — from a booth at the farmer’s market to a brick and mortar shop on Cascade Avenue in Hood River.

Tamara and James met while working on a cruise ship. Tamara, who is Hungarian, studied pastry and chocolate in the Netherlands and worked in various patisseries to master her craft. James was the videographer for the company’s whole fleet but happened to be on the same ship during Tamara’s contract in 2018 while she was working as head pastry chef. e Biscardis had every intention of starting this business. After months of market research, along with Tamara receiving her work permit, they applied to be a part of the Hood River Farmer’s Market and were quickly accepted. While they knew it would be a great way to introduce their products to the community, it was the connections made that were the biggest bene t.

After meeting on the ship, the two kept in touch, maintaining a long-distance relationship across land, sea and multiple countries. “When we were o the ship, we would meet for a month in America or he would come to Europe,” Tamara says.

During Tamara’s rst trip to the U.S., the couple took a road trip around Oregon. “We drove down the coast, east toward Bend and ended up in Hood River. I said if I ever moved to America, it would be here,” she says.

After Tamara’s last contract aboard the ship ended, the couple had planned for her to move to the U.S. so they could be together. But the onset of the pandemic foiled those plans. Because of the restrictions on travel, Tamara moved back to Hungary in March 2020.

“We made a pact that whichever country opens up rst, the other will jump and go,” says Tamara.

It was Hungary that opened up rst, in July 2020. “I put everything in storage in Portland and bought a one-way ticket,” James says. e couple got married in Hungary and were nally able to make their way back to the Gorge together in August 2021.

“We got to meet and know our customers,” Tamara says. “We built up a community that is excited for us and is rooting for us.” e Biscardis took the time to introduce themselves to every person who stopped by their market booth to gaze upon stunning chocolates and gourmet desserts. “People were really excited about it,” James says. “As a new business we only had a small amount to invest. We needed that proof of concept and watched that grow all summer.” e market was also an incredibly bene cial avenue for the couple to meet area farmers and to make connections with other small business owners. “We met all the farmers that produce the fruit we’re looking for and built those relationships with them,” Tamara says. “ anks to the market, now I know who to call.” ose grower and farmer connections have allowed Tamara and James to work with ingredients of the highest quality. “It’s great to go to a farmer and say, ‘I want to put this in our product,’”