He makes the best croissants in France
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.
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
Pâtiss'Art announces its first edition with Nina Métayer as godmother
Normandy goes pastry. From October 26 to 28, 2024, the first Pâtiss'Art show will be held in Deauville. For the occasion, the godmother will be none other than Nina Métayer.
Should we trust the medals on the bottles?
On a supermarket shelf, similar-looking bottles of wine are lined up at slightly contrasting prices. Without a salesperson, in a time-constrained food shopping area, a sticker placed like a jewel cuts through the act of purchasing. Gold, silver or bronze medals flash more brightly than a label that's not always easy to decipher. Award-winning wine, featured wine An award-winning wine is one that has been presented by the winery at one of the 127 competitions that award these precious badges (in 2024, according to the DGCCRF). The famous Concours Général Agricole, founded in 1870, the world's best Chardonnay or Sauvignon competitions, the Brittany or Mâcon wine competitions, the Millésime Bio challenge... There's an embarrassment of riches to choose from, with no limit on participation, but not without a heavy hand in the wallet. For each cuvée entered, you'll need to pay between 10 and 150 euros, depending on the competition, not including postage and packaging costs and the purchase of macaroons in the event of victory. Attractive spin-offs A potentially interesting calculation, given the commercial visibility these awards bring. In the year following the award, sales of the vintage tend to increase by between 20% and 40%. A boon for the estate, event organizers and supermarkets alike. All the more so as the medals are pouring in. In 2025, at the Concours Général Agricole, of the 12129 wines entered, 3361 were awarded medals, almost half of them gold. French legislation prohibits the awarding of more than a third of the samples presented. A quota with which most competitions flirt. Amateur jury Who awards these accolades? A volunteer jury, at their own expense. Mostly amateurs. The great need for people leaves little room for rigor or traceability. In 2025, at the Concours Général Agricole, over 7,000 people were needed to taste charcuterie, cheeses, jams and wines. At this year's Chardonnay du Monde competition, more than 300 jurors took part, with a limit of 20 samples per person. The most famous estates, which don't need to boost their sales, tend to neglect these competitions. Artisanal wineries, on the other hand, may shy away from these competitions as a matter of distinction, since the shiny stickers are associated with supermarkets. A place where it takes the place of good professional advice. A wine merchant, for example, capable of selling the uniqueness of a cuvée he has followed over the years.Our partners
Food products, kitchen equipment, tableware, service solutions...
See the full list of partners who place their trust in Gault&Millau
All our partners
