France no longer believed in it, but France did it. This Monday evening, a new edition of the Bakery World Cup was held at Porte de Versailles, on the occasion of the Salon Europain. A prize that has been snapped up (like hotcakes) since its creation in 1992. But since 2008, France has not won anything, losing its credibility as the “land of the baguette” over the course of the ceremonies. Surely boosted by our last A who wondered why the country was so bad, the French team finally rose to the top of the podium ahead of South Korea and Japan – two countries that had not let anything go for several years.
When the results were announced, announced by a brief “oh damn we did it” (France what), all the French candidates jumped into each other’s arms. In the public, pride is also present and is sung with “po-po-lo-po-po-po” and Marseillaise. Tricolor flags on the shoulders, the joy struggles to subside several minutes after the victory. As for the rather discreet jury, it is the end of an intensive food marathon where more than 150 types of bread will have been tasted. However, despite the quantity absorbed, everyone would have been unanimous on the winning trio and too bad for the other seven participants: Germany, Chile, China, Greece, Madagascar, Morocco and Mexico.
“Be proud of them”
On the podium, the three bakers Franck Fortier, Fabien Nolay and Xavier Sacriste finally savor their victory, under the leadership of a smiling coach, Grégoire Bardet. “Be proud of them. Applaud them,” encourages the Head Baker Teacher to the public. “It’s a great victory for the French team which has been awaited for quite a few years now. We can be proud of this victory,” he tells us, proudly holding Xavier Sacriste from Lyon under his arm, clutching his trophy in the shape of a wheel of bread.
“We demonstrated that France was capable of returning to the high level in the bakery competition. It’s a source of great pride for the French bakery and a childhood dream for us.” For the coach, 2024 is not only the year of the Paris Olympic Games, but also the year where France finds what it shines for internationally. Not Timothée Chalamet or his arrogance, but the bread.