Sofitel celebrates sixty years with semicircular snacks for World Croissant Day

Sofitel Ambassador Seoul, a five-star French luxury hotel, introduces Korean-infused croissants for World Croissant Day, celebrating Sofitel's 60th anniversary with its global Haute Croissanterie events.

Bom-bi Blossom (7,500 won) croissant infused with cherry blossom cream is part of Sofitel Ambassador Seoul's Haute Croissanterie collection launched celebration of Sofitel brand's 60th anniversary [LEE JIAN]

A five-star luxury French hotel in Seoul is bringing Korean spice and zest to France’s emblematic pastry: croissants.

In light of World Croissant Day on Jan. 30, Sofitel Ambassador Seoul in Songpa District unveiled its new line of croissants, dubbed Haute Croissanterie.

This luxury-meets-puff-pastry collection includes classic French-style croissants as well as those that infuse iconic Korean ingredients like gochujang and Jeju mandarins.

“Croissants at Sofitel are made with the traditional French recipe and premier ingredients while also maintaining innovativeness and modern style that will appeal to consumers today,” sous pastry chef Henry Kim told the press at the hotel on Tuesday.

Sofitel Ambassador Seoul in Songpa District, southern Seoul, on Tuesday launched the Haute Croissanterie event, presenting classic French croissants as well as those incorporating Korean flavors. [SOFITEL AMBASSADOR SEOUL]

Haute Croissanterie is a global event being held at Sofitel properties around the world, in celebration of the brand's 60th anniversary.

Head pastry chef Kim Yong-ho has been selected as a global ambassador for the project along with head pastry chefs from Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo in Panama and Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk in the United Emirates. The three locations are acting as pilot hotels for Haute Croissanterie.

A total of 30 Sofitel properties across the globe are set to launch their own Haute Croissanterie event later this year, each featuring croissants with their own local twists, which the hotel calls "cultural link" croissants.

Gochujang Galore (8,500 won) croissant incorporates Korea's chili pepper paste, honey-roasted nuts and dried persimmon. [LEE JIAN]

There are seven croissants in Seoul's Haute Croissanterie collection, including three with a Korean twist: the floral Bom-bi Blossom (7,500 won or $6) reminiscent of the Korean spring's cherry blossoms, spicy Gochujang Galore (8,500 won) and zesty Jeju Bliss (7,500 won) with Jeju Island’s seasonal mandarins.

Its classic croissants are Choco Noir (7,500 won) mixing dark chocolate with cardamom; Jambon-beurre-turned-croissant Elegance Paris (7,500 won); Truffle-sant (11,000 won) topped with slices of Italian black truffle; and Autumn Cube (11,000 won) with chestnut cream and spices.

The croissants will become available around Sofitel properties worldwide, throughout the year.

“At this time when the world’s interest in Korea is growing, it is an honor to showcase croissants with a Korean touch through Sofitel’s Haute Croissanterie project,” Kim Yong-ho said in Tuesday's press release.

Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel in Songpa District, southern Seoul, on Tuesday launched the Haute Croissanterie event presenting classic French croissants as well as those incorporating Korean flavors. [LEE JIAN]

Sofitel Ambassador Seoul also said that it will be handing out complimentary plain Pure Butter croissants (6,000 won) to the first 60 guests to visit the hotel from Jan. 30, at its Jardin d’Hiver bakery, as a nod to the Sofitel's anniversary.

All croissants are available for purchase at Jardin d’Hiver on the hotel's sixth floor, or at the pastry section during breakfast time at the French bistro Fait Maison on the fourth floor.

Established in 1964, Sofitel Hotels & Resorts is the first international luxury hotel to originate from France. It has over 120 Sofitel addresses in more than 40 countries around the world. Sofitel Ambassador Seoul has 403 hotel rooms including 59 suites and 160 residences. The luxury hotel line operates under the French hospitality group Accor, which has over 5,400 properties in more than 110 countries.

Truffle-sant (11,000 won) croissant topped with slices of Italian black truffle [LEE JIAN]

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]