Hello.
My name is Toni Marie Cox. I am the Pastry Chef and Proprietress of Toni Patisserie and Cafe. I grew up outside Detroit and moved to Chicago to study Art and Sculpture. A love of cuisine influenced the switch to Pastry Chef where I could develop my artistic talents.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I’ve been with my husband, Paul, for 42 years. I have one brother and three sisters.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I honed my art as Executive Pastry Chef at Chicago’s elegant Mayfair Regent Hotel and the notable Le Ciel Bleu, before being sought out by Disney to open the Disneyland Hotel in Paris. In 1994, after three years in France, I began supplying the Hinsdale area with my, hopefully fabulous, culinary treats. I love the creative aspect of what I do and the people I work with and for.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Vie and Vistro
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Since 1994.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Paul Virant is a fabulous chef.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Istanbul. It is the crossroad between Asia and Europe and the Silk Road.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
The Big Night, The Bear or Ted Lasso.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Take the time to observe the beauty in life.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Travel, travel and more travel
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Robin Egg Blue
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Michelle Obama. We would eat at Virtue in Hyde Park.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Our customers are soo kind to us.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Retired in Mexico
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I like to draw and paint.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
The Dordogne in Southwest France
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Thanksgiving
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Foie Gras
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Pierre Herme
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Lavender and Paul’s roast chicken
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Food, Family, Friends
