After several months of preparation, experimentation, and intensive training, 16 finalists (eight professionals and eight juniors) gathered in April at the Lycée des Métiers Louis Guilloux in Rennes to compete in the 51st edition of the Championnat de France du Dessert.

Organized by Cultures Sucre, the competition featured Franck Putelat as president of the jury. The two-Michelin-starred chef believes that this year’s competition was particularly enriching, “with sixteen desserts as creative as they were unique. The level was remarkable, especially among the professionals, where the results were extremely close. Of course, there is a winner and some who are disappointed, but the main point lies elsewhere: we also grow in defeat. Because at this very moment, we are already beginning to prepare for the next competition. You should never, ever give up.”

After 4 hours and 50 minutes, Clément Réauté (Fleur de Loire in Blois) was crowned the winner in the professional category with the dessert Cold Citrus Fruits, and Lucie Billon, from the École Ferrandi Paris, won in the junior category with Hent ar Blaz (translated as The Path of Taste), in memory of the path that leads to the pear tree in her great-grandmother’s garden. Details of the recipes will be available on the website soon.