French-Inspired Wildflower Café Opening in Valdosta This August

Wildflower Café is preparing to open soon at 401 Northside Dr Suite C, Valdosta, GA 31602, blending Southern comfort and classic French flair. The café will have its soft opening on July 30th followed by a grand opening on August 4th, according to co-owner and head chef Heidi Shelley, who spoke with Business Debut.

The café will operate Monday through Friday, 11 am–5 pm, and will be closed on weekends and evenings to allow for private dinners, parties, and special events. Wildflower Café will serve a thoughtfully crafted lunch menu alongside a traditional English-style afternoon tea from 2 pm–5 pm, complete with finger sandwiches, scones, sweets, and over 27 varieties of organic, fair-trade loose-leaf teas sourced from the U.S.

Menu highlights will include a collagen-rich meat pie (made with beef, chicken, or ham), 48-hour fermented sourdough bread, and gluten-free bread options. Wildflower Café will also introduce a health-forward menu approach by eliminating seed oils and fryers. Instead, dishes will be made with avocado oil, beef tallow, olive oil, coconut oil, and real butter.

Shelley is an award-winning, classically trained French chef, having graduating as the 2020 Gold Nominee from Wiregrass Technical College. She also served as executive pastry chef at A+B,Etc. in Hahira, the region’s only French dining restaurant. Shelley and her business partner, Ryan Swifka, are creating a multi-layered dining experience. Patrons can order online with curbside pickup, dine in with counter service, or enjoy full table service in the main dining area.

“I've always been hired to open restaurants for other people,” Shelley noted. “I'm kinda tired of [all the changes]. I wanna invest in myself now and put all of my experience into my own place, my own focus. And I needed to bring something to our area that we do not have.”

You can follow updates and sneak peeks on the Wildflower Café Facebook page as the grand opening approaches.