Brief History

The origin of Peasant Pies can be traced to Sète, an old port city in the South of France. Small savory pies are a specialty of the region, purchased as snacks by local fishermen who appreciate their low cost and eat-anywhere appeal.

Inspired by this regional favorite, Cordon Bleu-trained chef Gérard Buulong and partner Ali Keshavarz founded Peasant Pies, bringing the authentic flavors of Southern France to the Bay Area.

Bon Appétit!

The Team

GÉRARD BUULONG
Co-Founder, Executive Chef

Gérard brings world-class culinary expertise, endless creativity, and the passion for food to the team. The creator of the recipes, Gérard is a Cordon Bleu-trained chef who first encountered these kinds of pies in a small port in the south of France along the Mediterranean. Gérard’s interest in foreign cultures and his appreciation for California’s health-savvy consumers provide fuel for inspiration in developing new pie recipes. Prior to launching Peasant Pies with Ali, Gérard was the founder and owner of a French restaurant and jazz club in Northern California. Before arriving in California, Gérard successfully owned and operated two shops in Paris that provided specialty pies to discriminating Parisians.

ALI KESHAVARZ
Co-Founder, Sales and Marketing Director

Ali is one of the two founders of Peasant Pies and has played a pivotal role in delivering tasty handcrafted food to the San Francisco Bay Area. He has been responsible for the sales and marketing of the retail stores as well as brand and concept development for Peasant Pies. He also built the Peasant Pies wholesale business, developing relationships with top retailers, including Whole Foods Market, Fresh Organics, Wild Oats, Andronico’s, and Mollie Stone’s Market. Prior to launching Peasant Pies, he managed Gerard’s formal French restaurant and jazz club in Northern California. Ali’s extensive experience in food and beverage management includes many fine dining restaurants, Hilton Hotels, and the Four Seasons Hotels. Ali holds a Masters degree in Organic Chemistry.