Gracious Bakery. Rooted in New Orleans. Made with Gratitude.
Founded in 2012 by husband-and-wife team Megan and Jay Forman, Gracious Bakery + Café quickly became a beloved New Orleans staple—celebrated for its pastries, breads, and warm neighborhood spirit. Over the years, Gracious expanded to multiple locations and earned national recognition from Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, and Pastry Arts. Its pastry chefs have even competed on The Food Network’s Chopped: Desserts, and Gracious baked goods can be found in some of the city’s finest hotels and restaurants.
Now part of the Le Marais Collection, the hospitality group of Callais Capital Management, Gracious continues to build on the Formans’ legacy of craftsmanship, quality, and community. Guided by a dedicated leadership team, the bakery remains committed to creating exceptional pastries and products that make life a little more Gracious.
Meet Our Team
Leonair Dorsey | Director of Production
Chef Leonair leads all aspects of production at Gracious Bakery, overseeing the creation of our pastries, breads, and savory items with an expert eye for detail and quality. With a passion for craftsmanship and innovation, she manages team scheduling, workflow, and quality control while spearheading menu planning, seasonal specials, and new product development. Leonair also mentors staff across pastry, savory, and barista roles—ensuring every item that leaves the kitchen meets the Gracious standard.
Nichelle Glenn | Director of Retail
Nichelle leads day-to-day operations across all Gracious Bakery retail locations, managing front-of-house teams and ensuring a warm, consistent experience for every guest. She oversees staffing, scheduling, and customer service while maintaining the highest standards of quality, cleanliness, and hospitality. Working closely with leadership, Nichelle drives operational excellence and helps shape the welcoming, community-centered atmosphere that defines Gracious Bakery.
Ja’Sion Smith | Director of Wholesale and Catering
Ja’Sion brings more than a decade of kitchen experience to her role as Wholesale & Catering Director at Gracious Bakery. She began her journey with Gracious on the pastry team, where her talent, reliability, and leadership quickly set her apart. Over time, she transitioned into managing wholesale and catering operations, becoming a vital bridge between production, retail, and delivery teams. Today, Ja’Sion oversees all wholesale accounts and catering programs, ensuring every order is fulfilled with precision and care. Known for her hands-on approach and deep commitment to service, she builds lasting relationships with partners and clients while helping expand Gracious’s footprint across New Orleans and surrounding areas.
Locations
Garden District
2854 St. Charles Ave
New Orleans, LA 70115
Uptown
4930 Prytania Street
New Orleans, LA 70115
Hours
St. Charles
Monday — Thursday
7:00am - 3:00pm
Friday-Sunday
7:00am - 4:00pm
Prytania
Monday — Sunday
7:00am - 6:00pm
Follow our Journey @graciousbakerynola
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Follow our Journey @graciousbakerynola |