Melbourne patisserie Almost French is ending 2026 on a high after bringing home a number of industry awards in the past few months.

Owner Alex Charasse, who trained in France and spent years honing his skills in kitchens across Europe before opening Almost French in 2019, said the wins were something he’d never anticipated.

In 2026 alone Almost French has been awarded the top spot in the 2026 Australian Trades Small Business Champion awards, as well as being recognised at The Australian Champion Trade Awards, The Victorian Excellence Business Award, the Best of Australia small business food and beverage, and the Best of Australia Entrepreneur of the year 2026 food and beverage.

“The response this year has been overwhelming. Customers became supporters, supporters became advocates, and suddenly Almost French wasn’t just a bakery, it was a story people wanted to be part of. The awards amplified that, but the real emotion came from seeing how deeply the community connected with what we were trying to create,” Alex said.

“When you begin a new chapter, you don’t think about awards  you think about showing up every morning and making something worth sharing.”

Alex himself was also recognised in the 2026 Business Elite’s 40 Under 40 list. It was an acknowledgment he said was emotional.

“It felt like recognition not just of the business but of the journey – the risks, the early mornings, the belief that a new chapter [in Almost French] could become something meaningful,” he said.

“Almost French was born from a new chapter in my life. When I arrived in Melbourne I didn’t have much, just a craft I loved and the belief that I could start again. I wanted to create a place where people felt something when they walked in; not just a bakery, but a moment of escape.

“Almost French Patisserie in Richmond was my first step. It was small, personal, and built with the hope that people would connect with the story behind it. When they did, it gave me the courage to open Almost French Epicure in the CBD – a space that reflects the next chapter of the journey: bigger, bolder, and more ambitious. Both businesses were inspired by the same idea that food can open doors, create connection, and give people a sense of belonging.”

With such a momentous year behind him, 2027 is also shaping up to be a year of growth for both Alex and Almost French.

Alex said his focus would be primarily on exploring new opportunities, expanding capabilities behind the scenes, and building systems to support the next stage of the journey.

“2027 is about growth, but in a thoughtful and meaningful way. This year has shown me how much potential Almost French has, and my focus is on strengthening the foundations of the brand – our craft, our team, and the experience we create for customers,” he said.

“I want Almost French to reach more people, but in a way that feels authentic to who we are. It’s an exciting time, and 2027 will be about laying the groundwork for the future while staying true to the heart of the brand.

“The awards are incredible, but the real success is seeing people connect with the story — families coming in on weekends, customers bringing friends, kids choosing their favourite pastry with excitement. Almost French came from a new chapter in my life, and everything happening now feels like a reminder that new beginnings can lead to extraordinary places.”