By Eric Elezuo
The best way to anyone’s heart is through his stomach. This is one philosophy that is well understood in the business of hospitality with special emphasis to food service. And one establishment has put it to absolute practice, XO Boutique Bakery.
Located in the highbrow Victoria Island, XO is another definition of a home away from home, delivering the best of confectionery, edibles and relaxation in the coziest of environments.
In this brief chat with one of the Managing Partners of the firm, Yomi Martins, The Boss learnt that the highly exclusive gourmet centre will officially present its expanded space on November 18 to the public, among many other juicy packages. The day, he stated is specially dedicated to customer appreciation and celebrattion of expansion.
Excerpts:
What is it like floating a talk of the town restaurant in the heart of LagosÂ
It’s really a dream come true, and I am thrilled to take a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey that has led us to where we stand today, as we prepare to celebrate our grand opening on November 18th.
Can you trace the journey so far to this present stage
Sure… XO Boutique Bakery has evolved from a simple idea into a thriving haven for those who appreciate good food, quality coffee, and an ambiance that truly embraces the essence of café culture.
Our story began over five years ago when XO Boutique Bakery was but a dream in the minds of a passionate and determined team of founders. Chef Alex Oke, the driving force behind our culinary creations, initiated the journey as a catering company. However, he had a grand vision of expanding into a brick-and-mortar establishment that would always stay focused on quality. It is important to note that Chef Alex is the Managing Director.
So at what stage did you join, and what impact has that been ever since
With all sense of humility, the XO brand became a brick and mortar location when I joined the team, followed by my wife. What binds us together is a shared history of leaving Nigeria as children, only to return as adults in 2016 with a collective aspiration to create something extraordinary. We yearned to bring a piece of the world back with us, to provide a space where patrons could savor good food and coffee on par with international standards.
How has the restaurant fared since inception
In December 2017, the doors of our first physical location in Victoria Island opened, bringing to life a long-cherished dream. XO Bakery quickly filled a gap in the market, satisfying an underserved demand for quality baked goods in Lagos. Our journey from that point onwards was marked by steady growth, building a loyal following of customers who share our passion for exceptional cuisine and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
In 2022, we embarked on an exciting expansion journey. Moving to a larger space in the heart of commercial Victoria Island allowed us to increase our seating capacity from a humble 4-5 people to a more spacious 15, and our staff numbers grew from 5 to 12. This transformation allowed us to broaden our menu, introducing a diverse range of hot and cold drinks and prepared savory items.
It’s obvious you have created a lot of landmarks so far, but what is the newest in your kittyÂ
The prwsent year, 2023 marked another significant milestone as we secured additional space within our existing venue. Today, XO Bakery not only stands as a boutique bakery and café but also as a restaurant and bar, offering a welcoming environment for up to 50 patrons. Our team has expanded to include approximately 20 dedicated staff members, and we now have the capacity to host events, private gatherings, exhibitions, and pop-ups.
Your growth came with diversification. Mention some of the areas of latest discovery
Diversifying our services, we’ve ventured into the art of cake-making for birthdays, weddings, and special occasions, and our B2B contract baking has flourished, serving a broader clientele base.
As we prepare for our grand opening on November 18th, we invite the general public to join us in celebrating our journey and our new space, and continue to enjoy the delicacy that can only be XO.
What message do you have for your teeming customers and would-be customers out there
We look forward to showing our appreciation to all of you, our valued customers, and to sharing our continued commitment to providing an unparalleled experience at XO Boutique Bakery. Ours is a promise of goodness and assured taste, and delivery of goodness and assured taste.
