2026 Paris-Brest Grand Prix

From October 28 to November 1, our partner, the National Confederation of Artisan Pastry Chefs (CNAP), organized the first edition of the Paris-Brest Grand Prix at the Salon du Chocolat in Paris.

A contest dedicated to a timeless classic

Organized under the auspices of the CNAP, chaired by Laurent Le Daniel (MOF), and sponsored by Pierre Hermé, the Grand Prix celebrates the Paris-Brest. Invented in 1910 by Louis Durand in Maisons-Laffitte, this cake pays homage to the Paris-Brest-Paris bicycle race. Stéphane Lévêque, Louis Durand’s great-grandson, was the guest of honor at the ceremony. The goal is to highlight the fundamental techniques of the craft, from the consistency of the choux pastry to the balance of the praline cream, including the precision of the cut.

How did the Grand Prix go?

For this first edition, the competition was open to contestants from the Île-de-France region and neighboring departments. It brought together 15 professional finalists and 11 amateur contestants, who competed before a jury of renowned figures in the world of pastry.

Professionals were required to stay true to the identity of the classic, traditional Paris-Brest: a ring-shaped choux pastry filled with a cream made from almond and/or hazelnut praline, with the option of adding a craquelin and a praline filling. Amateur bakers were able to express their creativity with a reimagined Paris-Brest, while maintaining its ring shape and praline-based identity.

According to Laurent Le Daniel, “The best Paris-Brest is, above all, a matter of balance.”

Two first-place winners

The awards were presented on Sunday, November 1, on stage at the Cacao Show, in the presence of Pierre Hermé and Laurent Le Daniel. In this inaugural edition, two women took first place, each in her own category. Congratulations to Timothée Boussat and Touria Mbarek!

Professional Category (Traditional Classic Paris-Brest)
Gold: Timothée Boussat, Pâtisserie Frédéric Cassel, Fontainebleau (77)
Silver: Toshiya Takatsuka, Pâtisserie Toshiya Takatsuka, Paris (75)
Bronze: Benjamin Roc, L’Équilibre Paris, Paris (75)

Amateur Category (Paris-Brest Reimagined)
Gold: Touria Mbarek
Silver: Alexandre Charlet
Bronze: Caroline de Witte

Passing on the art of French pastry-making

This Grand Prix celebrates excellence in craftsmanship, innovation, and the preservation of France’s culinary heritage. This is an approach that Louis François shares, having remained committed since 1908 to passing on traditional skills alongside artisans.

Thank you to the CNAP and to Nathalie Bohbot, the project director, for this successful first edition.