“I want Mendel's in Bjørvika to become a destination for good moments. A place where people feel cared for and valued.“
Dream away to Paris over a perfect croissant, enjoy a long brunch with friends or pamper yourself with an afternoon tea with exquisite snacks. Now Mendel's opens in Bjørvika - a new destination for great tastes and even better times.
– My greatest passion is people. That's what drives me. Mendel's is a place to connect, build relationships and create something special together, says Younes El-Khomri, the creator behind Mendel's.
The French patisserie opened its doors in the first premises on Bislett and was a success, before moving on to Karl Johans gate. Now Younes is ready to take the next step with a new branch at SIXA in Bjørvika.
– This will be a completely new concept. We will keep the same cakes, but we will introduce a completely new brunch bar with an exciting menu, an upgraded afternoon tea and an atmosphere that is completely unique, he says. And the ambition is clear:
– I want Mendel's in Bjørvika to become a destination for good moments. A place where people feel cared for and valued.
Started Mendel's from the kitchen window
Younes' story began in Morocco, but it was when his family moved to France at the age of ten that he truly discovered the magic of food.
“The first thing I remember was all the bakeries, the handmade products and the French routine around them,” he recalls. This experience inspired him to become a pastry chef, a path that would take him through exciting experiences and challenges.
After studying and earning a master's degree specializing in pastry, he dreamed of an international career. Ferden moved to London to improve his English skills, which would make this possible. There, he eventually got a job as a pastry chef with the Royal Navy, where he learned discipline and his language skills improved. This came in handy when he later got a job at the luxury department store Harrods.
“It was a whole new world of luxury, sales and service. That's where I learned most of what I know today,” says Younes.
From spontaneous trip to Norway to pastry chef adventure
Soon, his wanderlust would return, and by chance he ended up on a road trip from France to Lofoten. His traveling companion wanted to get away from the heat, so he chose Norway.
“I knew nothing about Norway,” he admits. “But I was captivated by the nature and the landscape.”
He quickly settled into his new home in Oslo – and that's where Mendel's was born, almost by chance during the pandemic. It all started with cakes and pastries for friends at Easter, and soon people were queuing outside his kitchen window.
– It was quite funny. Vipps even thought I was doing some shady business, he laughs.
For Younes, it is important to use local ingredients and create a menu that highlights the best of Norway, adapted to each season. With his passion and vision, it is easy to imagine that Mendel's in Bjørvika will become a place where flavors, people and memories meet - and where sweet dreams continue to come true.
To strengthen and further develop Mendel's, Younes has entered into a collaboration with Morten Usterud, who for over 20 years has developed, built and operated various concepts within the hospitality industry in Oslo.
“Pâtisserie was new to me, but meeting Younes gave me the opportunity to contribute to the growth of a fantastic brand. Together we want to create places where our guests can share unique moments,” says Usterud. While Younes is the creative driving force behind the company, Usterud is responsible for the financial aspects of the business.