ABOUT US
PRODUCTS
JOBS
CONTACT
FAIRS
History
Production
Quality&food Safety
Research&Development
The history of Gourmand dates back to the 1980s, when Christian Moulin, having 
trained as caterer, opened a catering business in the town centre of Mouscron. He
soon discovered the numerous advantages and possibilities associated with
semi-finished puff pastry products, improving speed, quality and creativity.
Inspired by his expertise and the business opportunities offered by the large-scale
production of semi-finished products, he established Gourmand in 1984 and
specialised in producing puff pastry products.
In 1991, the company was taken over by the Dossche Group, a privately owned
business established in 1875 and active in the agro-food industry. Its targeted and
integrated quality control system has enabled the family business to expand into an
internationally renowned food group. (www.dosschegroup.com)
There was rapid investment in product development, in expanding the capacity and in
automating the machinery. Well-considered investments which turned Gourmand into a
success story.
In November 2004, however, Gourmand suffered a devastating fire.
Through courage and love for the trade, a new and ultramodern company was set up
within a year’s time. Today, Gourmand is once again established as one of the leading
suppliers in its sector, enjoying a reputation built on product quality and production
efficiency.
PRODUCT
IN THE
PICTURE
MULTIGRAIN CROISSANT
ABOUT US
PRODUCTS
JOBS
CONTACT
FAIRS
History
Production
Quality&food Safety
Research&Development
Right from the very start, Gourmand fully invested in Research and Development, with
the ultimate aim being to create the finest puff pastry products tailored to the consumers’
tastes and wishes.
In this respect, Gourmand can call upon a professional in-house R&D department, but
also benefits from its baking experience of many years as part of the Dossche Group.
Research projects, for example, are regularly conducted with the R&D managers at
Dossche Mills and Paverko fresh bakery. This collaboration aims to continuously
improve product quality and innovation.
Gourmand has also succeeded in marrying modern production technology, as well as
stringent product consistency standards, with the aroma and taste characteristics of a
traditional product. Gourmand has integrated the traditional baking methods (sponge
dough and setting times) into a fully automatic dough preparation process, enhancing
the freshness, clean bite, taste experience and aroma of the end-product.
Our baking technologists visit the customers to help develop new products and to
assist them in guaranteeing premium end-quality.
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
ABOUT US
PRODUCTS
JOBS
CONTACT
FAIRS
History
Production
Quality&food Safety
Research&Development
All the stringent standards and procedures are established in a continually evolving
quality control system, certified for BRC at Grade A by AIB Vinçotte/ISA Belgium
(International Supplier Auditing). This standard sets out the requirements which a
company’s quality control system must meet to achieve the highest possible customer
satisfaction, by eliminating deviations at all stages of the production process, from
design up to follow-up.
Gourmand’s production process also complies with the HACCP standards (Hazard
Analysis Critical Control Points). The system, which enables production to prevent,
control and assess possible anomalies, guarantees the high quality of the product being
brought onto the market. Gourmand has the GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) label
for its by-products, providing our by-product customers with sufficient guarantees of the
quality of the supplied products.
These certificates testify of the premium quality offered by Gourmand. Our quality
assurance department checks the unconditional observance of these stringent
production standards on a daily basis.
Constant quality improvement, traceability and food safety are key principles in
Gourmand’s quality policy.
Quality - has a label
Quality - everybody’s business, at all times
ABOUT US
PRODUCTS
JOBS
CONTACT
FAIRS
History
Production
Quality&food Safety
Research&Development
Gourmand is passionate about quality combined with speed and flexibility.
These values are the cornerstones of our business.
When it comes to raw materials, Gourmand does not compromise: we buy only the
highest-quality raw materials from suppliers who meet our stringent food safety
standards.
Sampling is done throughout the production process, ensuring that product quality is
checked in all phases, from the grain of corn to the end-product delivered to the
customer. Thanks to our continual investment in the highest quality, Gourmand and its
customers are able to offer the consumers the best product.
Quality - everybody’s business, at all times
Quality - has a label
ABOUT US
PRODUCTS
JOBS
CONTACT
FAIRS
History
Production
Quality&food Safety
Research&Development
PRODUCTION
Since its re-establishment in 2006, Gourmand has offered a new range of products,
operating at the top end of the market when it comes to taste, crispiness, volume and
consistency.
As every baker knows, the secret of a crispy croissant with a rich taste, a clean bite and
long freshness lies in the dough's ripening. Moisture-filled sponge dough ripens for
several hours and is ideal for creating a rich aroma. This sponge dough is not kneaded,
preserving the consistency of the dough.
Our unique method enables us to prepare sponge dough on an industrial scale.
A second fundamental change was the commissioning of ultramodern and fully
automated production lines, enabling us to produce more consistent products at a high
output and with minimum waste.
Automated optical quality control systems continually optimise the production process,
ensuring that all our products meet stringent quality standards.
Gourmand has succeeded in producing what the customer wants: delicious and
consistent viennoiseries at competitive prices!
ABOUT US
PRODUCTS
JOBS
CONTACT
FAIRS
History
Production
Quality&food Safety
Research&Development
The history of Gourmand dates back to the 1980s, when Christian Moulin, having
trained as caterer, opened a catering business in the town centre of Mouscron. He
soon discovered the numerous advantages and possibilities associated with
semi-finished puff pastry products, improving speed, quality and creativity.
Inspired by his expertise and the business opportunities offered by the large-scale
production of semi-finished products, he established Gourmand in 1984 and
specialised in producing puff pastry products.
In 1991, the company was taken over by the Dossche Group, a privately owned
business established in 1875 and active in the agro-food industry. Its targeted and
integrated quality control system has enabled the family business to expand into an
internationally renowned food group. (www.dosschegroup.com)
There was rapid investment in product development, in expanding the capacity and in
automating the machinery. Well-considered investments which turned Gourmand into a
success story.
In November 2004, however, Gourmand suffered a devastating fire.
Through courage and love for the trade, a new and ultramodern company was set up
within a year’s time. Today, Gourmand is once again established as one of the leading
suppliers in its sector, enjoying a reputation built on product quality and production
efficiency.
HISTORY
PRODUCT
IN THE
PICTURE
MULTIGRAIN CROISSANT
