From Medicine to Macarons: Dulce Opens New Patisserie in Tunbridge Wells

TUNBRIDGE WELLS — More than a decade ago, Dulce Chua traded her medical scrubs for a patisserie apron, taking a leap of faith to train as a pastry chef. Today, she and her husband Alain are scaling new heights in the patisserie world — with their newest venture just days old.

Dulce’s Patisserie, a popular Sevenoaks favourite led by the husband-and-wife team, officially opened its new shop in the heart of Tunbridge Wells on Friday, March 13.

“We are very excited to bring our food and baking to Tunbridge Wells,” said Dulce, founder of Dulce’s Patisserie.

An award-winning independent patisserie, Dulce’s is renowned for its handmade macarons, cakes, and pastries. Its original shop in Sevenoaks has built a strong reputation for exceptional quality, reflected in its 11 Great Taste Awards across various products.

“Our goal has always been to create a warm and welcoming space where people of all ages can enjoy our handmade treats together,” Dulce added. “We believe good food brings people together, and we can’t wait to share our creations with the Tunbridge Wells community.”

Dulce, whose name means “sweet” in Spanish, trained at Le Cordon Bleu, completing her postgraduate diploma in patisserie in 2012. She transitioned from a career in medicine to pursue her passion for food.

As an independent business, Dulce’s Patisserie is committed to supporting local suppliers and using high-quality ingredients in all its products. The patisserie specialises in its award-winning macarons, alongside a range of pastries, cakes, and quiches designed to delight the local community.

Built on values of friendly service, handcrafted food, and a warm, inviting space, Dulce’s has become a destination for food lovers across Kent.

The new shop offers a wide selection of freshly made products, including macarons, cakes, pastries, and quiches — all crafted using traditional French techniques. Customers can dine in, take away, or order bespoke celebration cakes.

The opening was attended by local supporters, including the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells, Cllr Jamie Johnson.

Dulce’s Patisserie is located at 141 Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells, Kent.