Fiorise Artisan Patisserie & Café offers a refined, focused take on French-inspired baking.
Opened on March 9, 2024, in Complex 333, the Kuala Belait-based café was founded by Melissa Gan, with her partner Ivan Lim as co-owner. Together, they’ve created something special in the area: a place where French pastry tradition meets a personal, hands-on touch.
The idea for Fiorise began long before its storefront existed. Melissa had been passionate about baking since she was young. Over the years, that early interest turned into something more defined—an ambition to build a space of her own, shaped by the craft she’d come to love. With Ivan stepping in as co-owner, the pair committed to opening a shop that didn’t just sell baked goods, but paid attention to how they were made, presented, and shared.
Melissa had a clear vision for Fiorise from the start. She wanted the café to feel calming and elegant—somewhere people could slow down, enjoy a pastry, and step away from the noise of the day. That intention didn’t just shape the look of the space but also influenced how the business runs: with calm, care, and attention to detail.
Fiorise specialises in French-style bakes, but with a range broad enough to attract both the curious and the familiar. Their canelés, with a crisp exterior and soft center, are a standout item. They come in a variety of flavours, including pistachio, hazelnut, vanilla, and more, each crafted with care. Alongside them, Fiorise offers a selection of other unique bakes, such as madeleines, buttery rolls, financiers, and bagels, adding variety while keeping the focus on quality. And that’s just a glimpse of what’s available.
One of their more distinctive items is the “Strawberry Daisy”—a dessert designed not only for flavour, but for visual impact. Built on a buttery tart base stuffed with almond cream, pastry cream, and strawberry gel. As the finishing touch, the dessert is topped with a perfect amount of vanilla ganache. The intention behind it was to create something that looked unique for a café, something that stood out among typical offerings. It’s the kind of item that draws attention on display and online, merging craft with aesthetic.
Their tiramisu also gained popularity recently, especially during the ICC event, where it became a customer favourite. According to the team, the dessert sold out consistently over several days. A small, but clear sign that their efforts are being noticed beyond the café walls.
Running a business, of course, comes with its challenges. In the early days, staffing was a struggle. With limited hands, Melissa and Ivan had to manage most of the operations themselves. Baking, too, came with its own difficulties—some production didn’t go smoothly, and not every day was a success. But those setbacks became part of the process. The team adjusted, learned, and slowly found their rhythm.
Promotion for Fiorise happens largely through social media, led primarily by the owner’s own content, giving it a more personal and informal tone. Melissa handles much of the content herself, using platforms like TikTok and Instagram to share updates, behind-the-scenes looks, and glimpses into daily operations. Her personal account, @melissa.fiorise, reflects the lifestyle and the human side of the business, while the dedicated Fiorise Instagram account, @fiorise.bn, focuses more on the products—highlighting new pastries, announcing updates, and showcasing customer favourites.
That hands-on approach seems to be a consistent thread across the business. From baking to content creation, Melissa remains closely involved in each part of Fiorise, maintaining a personal touch and attention to detail rather than depending on extensive marketing teams or polished corporate branding.
For now, Fiorise remains a single-location café, but its presence is felt. It brings a thoughtful approach, crafted with care and driven by genuine dedication. It’s a reflection of its founders’ intent: to offer something meaningful, created with attention and heartfelt commitment.
A year in, the café continues to evolve. New flavours, new designs, and new challenges are always around the corner. But Fiorise seems content to grow at its own pace. And for customers who step through its doors, that pace, which is calm, deliberate, and grounded in craft, might be exactly what they’re looking for.
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
