Audra Guidry has been making pastries and assorted treats for more than a decade. Just a few years after returning to Nashville from New York — where she studied pastry at The French Culinary Institute — she joined up with now-husband Nick Guidry to open Slow Hand Coffee. Originally started as a coffee truck, the restaurant across from Cummins Station now serves coffee as well as breakfast and lunch. (Breakfast features biscuits; sandwiches are served on house-made bread.) Be sure not to miss the sweet treats when you visit, though. Let’s better know Chef Guidry:
Vital tool: I’m a baker, so I think a digital scale is the obvious answer here, but I have an enormous metal rolling pin that I use daily. It can be chilled, which is a great aid in the pastry world.
Favorite gadget: My bench scraper. I’ve owned two since I started in the field, and wore the first one out.
Pantry essential: Salt. Even the best butters, chocolates and produce are elevated by proper salting.
Necessary extravagance: Good vanilla.
Favorite beverage: This is a loaded question! Is a multiple-part answer acceptable? Morning: Cold brew. Black, no sugar, no dairy. Also, pure cranberry juice and filtered water. Midday: Iced black tea. Imbibe: Wine. I’m obsessed with learning more about wine right now. Apart from enjoying it, my husband proposed to me in a vineyard, and we explored Napa on our honeymoon, so it’s all horribly romantic to me.
Favorite smell: Fried onions.
Comfort food: Nothing makes me feel better than a bowl of meatball pho. That stuff gives life.
Inspiration: I pull inspiration from everywhere. My family, the incredible chefs I’ve been fortunate to train under, favorite commercial snacks, memorable meals from my travels. ... Anything and anyone can inspire a new idea, flavor combination or use of technique.
Last meal (ever):Â Popeyes chicken. A lot of it.
Slowhand Coffee is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Breakfast is served all day on Saturdays.
