He makes the best croissants in France

Ingrid Boinet | 4/4/24, 8:12 AM

Are you a fan of buttery croissants? This baker's apprentice makes France's best in a national competition!

We know where to find the best croissants in France! Where? Thanks to the Concours du Meilleur Croissant au Beurre d'Isigny A.O.P. Isigny Sainte-Mère, held in Normandy on April 2-3, 2024. We tell you all about it here!

The crème de la crème of croissants

Viennoiseries are no laughing matter in France! After the world's best chocolatine, it's time to discover France's best croissants. This flaky delight is part of France's culinary heritage for a reason! That's why, since 2006, a competition has been dedicated to it, open to young apprentice bakers under the age of 20.

177 candidates, 22 finalists, 4512 croissants made... This 19ᵉ edition brought together many apprentices from the four corners of France. They were given two tests: the first consisted in making twelve croissants with Isigny A.O.P. Isigny Sainte-Mère butter according to the rules of the art, while the second invited them to come up with the most creative viennoiseries possible.

And it was Gaël Dupont who came out on top in the competition. An apprentice on a "mention complémentaire" course at the Caudry training center, he is delighted with his success. "I was supported by my teachers and I have a big part of my family to be proud of. This competition is the first step; the next will be that of France's Best Young Baker", he enthuses. In addition to his title of apprentice baker to France's Best Croissant, the 17-year-old will take home a tool kit and a training course with a Meilleur Ouvrier de France.

Gaël Dupont and Tristan Champeaux

The prize for creative viennoiserie went to Tristan Champeaux, a CAP pastry chef at CFA Chantejeau in Saint-Benoît (Vienne). "I wanted to challenge myself by doing this, and I gave it my all," explains the 17-year-old. His creation of the day? "Le soleil de Saint-Domingue" (Santo Domingo sun), a croissant with a dark chocolate filling and a mango-passion half-sphere. Sounds appetizing, doesn't it?

These news might interest you

News & Events

Le Voyage des Mangeurs: an itinerant culinary adventure in Auvergne

Jean Covillaut and Pierre Reure, both of whom made their name on Top Chef, will be presenting their traveling restaurant in Auvergne in April. Beware, there won't be room for everyone!

Read

Craftsmen & Know-How

Orleans vinegar

Created on the banks of the Loire, Orléans vinegar has long been known throughout France and on the tables of kings. In the 18th century, during its golden age, the city was home to several hundred artisan vinegar makers. Today, Maison Martin-Pouret is the only company to have maintained this tradition since 1797.

Read

Hotels & Bed & Breakfast

A new Mama Shelter in Toulon planned for 2027

Following openings in Nice and Marseille, Mama Shelter is continuing its expansion in the Mediterranean region with a new address planned for late 2027 in the former Évêché building, right in the heart of the Cours Lafayette.

Read

News & Events

Fanny Rey in 5 dishes

Fanny Rey, chef at the Auberge de Saint-Rémy, talks to us about the dishes that have marked her career. A dive into the chef's world that should make you want to take a trip to Provence.

More information

Chef Fanny REY

Restaurant Restaurant Fanny Rey & Jonathan Wahid
13210 SAINT-RÉMY-DE-PROVENCE

News & Events

The Cheffes! 2025: A not-to-be-missed solidarity event

The Cheffes! festival returns for two editions in Paris and Marseille in spring 2025. Discover the program of festivities.

Read

Craftsmen & Know-How

Seaweed bliss

Jean-Marie and Valérie Pédron gather, preserve and process seaweed from the Guérande peninsula, delivering it to France's top chefs. The couple also aim to democratize the use of this coastal treasure, which is rarely used in cooking.

Read