Pull up a chair.
There is plenty of room.
And food.
It’s Manon Lalonde’s way of life.
And the catalyst for her business, Six Red Chairs Bakery.
“While there are only five members of our family, six chairs sit around our tables,” Lalonde said. “That one extra chair has come to symbolize that there is always room for one more at our table. Oftentimes, many more find their way there too!”
It’s a way of life that Manon was intentional about bringing to East Central Illinois.
“I come from a very large French Canadian family, and so does my Italian husband (Larry Di Girolamo),” she said. “Growing up, it was normal to have crowds of family members gathered around long tables, giving thanks, breaking bread, and raising glasses. Those meals and those times together taught me that there is magic to be made at a table when a meal is shared.”
Lalonde comes by her talent honestly, though. She learned the foundations of baking from her mother and the art of meal composition from her father, who used to be a catering chef. Later in life, her in-laws taught her about the benefits of growing food at home.
The ingredients for an extra seat policy were in place.
It didn’t take long for Lalonde to make a local name for herself. Neighbors at the table quickly made room for friends at the table. Six around the table even turned into dozens as her family made the commitment to support the Mahomet Area Youth Club by auctioning a dinner at their residence.
Larry usually works the grills while Manon and her daughter, Nicolina, take care of the menu, ambiance and table setting. Nicolina, along with her brothers, Domenic and Roman, all accomplished musicians provide entertainment.
“It is a magical evening where we light up the yard, pull out all the stops, pick as many fresh vegetables and herbs as we can from my husband’s big beautiful garden, and we make a delicious and unforgettable meal for our guests. I love this event so much!”
It’s been more than a year since that dinner took place. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed the date of the 2020 dinner to Sept. 2021.
But, during the time that Americans were required to stay at home, Lalonde also realized a dream she had set aside while raising her children. She kept the oven warm as she developed recipes for Six Red Chairs Bakery.
With a selection of flaky croissants, fluffy macarons, scones, biscotti, and sugar cookies, among other baked goods, Lalonde was able to join the Urbana Farmer’s Market in 2021 under the Cottage Food Law.
In just three months, Six Red Chairs Bakery has already made a name for itself, selling out quickly each Saturday. With the motto, “I’ll do the baking -you make the memories,” Lalonde doesn’t want anyone to miss out on the opportunity to invite someone new to the table.
She offers pre-sales at www.sixredchairs.com to ensure customers get the items they want on Saturday mornings. Orders must be picked up at the Market though between 7-11 on Saturdays.
“It sounds cliche, but food is a love language, and one that we all speak and share,” she said.
“It doesn’t matter what we are eating – whether it be sandwiches or bœuf bourguignon, jello or crème brûlée, fine wines or vat sangria – the act of sharing food is such a part of what makes us feel connected as families, as friends, as neighbors, as a community.
“If the last year has shown me anything at all, it is that we no longer need a reason to celebrate. Just being together is reason enough.”
Saturday mornings have not only been a time for Lalonde to connect with customers. She’s also enjoyed figuring out the business side of things with her fellow vendors.
“The other vendors have been so kind and welcoming,” she said. “Some have been selling for years, but I’ve met quite a few vendors who are just starting out. We’re learning together.
“We’ve had some pretty crazy weather days already (freezing cold, swelteringly hot, strong winds and rain). The drastic changes in weather have been a surprise.
“But sharing my baked goods, and getting to socialize again and see people has been just a wonderful experience.”
Six Red Chairs Bakery will return to the Urbana Market on Aug. 14, after a few weeks off.
Lalonde said she hopes this experience will lead somewhere new, maybe a storefront.
In the meantime, she’s watching her daughter follow in her footsteps as she pursues a degree in Food Science with a concentration in Hospitality Management and a minor in Business at the University of Illinois.
“My daughter has always been right by my side, singing, dancing, and cooking in the kitchen, ever since she was a wee thing,” Lalonde said. “We make an amazing team! At 19, she has a really sophisticated palate, and she is so intuitive with flavors.”
