For what’s been almost seven years in the making, Patisserie Jacqui, located at 91 Main Street, has been recognized as a James Beard Award semifinalist in the Outstanding Bakery category. Owner Jackie Oatman and her staff were nominated for their exceptional talent in the culinary arts. The winner of the prestigious award will be announced at the awards presentation on June 16. Until then, Oatman will be busy keeping up with the increased demand the notoriety has brought the small-town specialty shop.
Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, and determined to follow her own path in life that included doing anything but working a desk job, Oatman couldn’t have envisioned this ending (or long-term stop). With experience in the service industry from back in the Twin Cities, she continued working restaurant jobs in Bisbee after moving here in 2013. She worked in various positions at Thuy’s Noodle Shop, Café Roka and Jimmy’s Hot Dog Company. Ultimately, it was that experience working at Jimmy’s that was the catalyst in opening her own French-inspired patisserie.
Opening her own storefront bakery may have never happened had she not met a former co-worker of hers at Jimmy’s. That was Tiffany Alexander, and she helped Oatman pave the way to take her culinary talents to the next level. “She encouraged me to take the initial leap when she saw the building up for lease in the fall of 2018,” said Oatman. “She has always been my biggest cheerleader and ‘yes person’ where and when I lacked the confidence to take such a gamble from the get-go.” To this day, Alexander is her right-hand woman, acting as her social media guru as well as head of the encouragement department…..read full story (online subscribers only)