As Pasadena counts down to its most celebrated morning of the year, one local pastry kitchen is quietly getting into parade mode—no glue, no petals, just precision piping and plant-based flair.
At ID-Eclair, the modern vegan patisserie in Old Pasadena, master pastry chef Romuald Guiot is welcoming the parade season with a limited-run collection of rose-inspired desserts, created especially for New Year’s Day visitors and locals soaking up the festive buzz. Elegant and sculptural, the pastries echo the floral artistry that will soon line Colorado Boulevard—only here, the roses are edible.
Guiot’s creations draw on classic French pastry technique while remaining firmly in contemporary territory. The desserts are entirely vegan, but there’s nothing austere about them: layered textures, balanced sweetness, and meticulous presentation give each pastry a celebratory feel without tipping into novelty. The rose theme feels less gimmick than homage, a subtle nod to Pasadena’s century-old tradition of welcoming the new year in bloom.
The pastries are available for a short time only, mirroring the fleeting nature of the Tournament of Roses itself. Like the floats, they are meant to be admired—and enjoyed—in the moment.
Guiot’s path to Pasadena is as layered as a cake. Raised in France’s Champagne region, he trained under his father and grandfather before earning international recognition, including top culinary honors in Europe. His career later brought him to the United States, where he became known to a wider audience as a finalist on Food Network’s Spring Baking Championship. After years in professional kitchens, including a stint at one of Southern California’s most iconic bakeries, Guiot struck out on his own.
ID-Eclair is his first brick-and-mortar pastry shop, built around a simple but ambitious idea: French pastry, fully vegan, without sacrificing technique or indulgence. Next door, he expanded that vision with La Cave, a wine bar pairing French varietals with plated desserts for an after-dark crowd.
As New Year’s Eve gives way to Pasadena’s biggest day, Guiot’s rose pastries offer a quieter way to join the celebration—one rooted in craft, creativity, and the city’s floral history.
ID-EclaiR is at 169 W. Green St., Pasadena. (626) 365-1161.
