Everyone has played rock-paper-scissors before. Mathieu Leveque, pastry chef at one of the La Parisienne bakery brands, decided to adapt this game to his style. Chifoumi has been transformed into a pastry: “shiso leaf pear”.
A creation which has just enabled its author to win the fourth edition of the Grand Prix de la patisserie de la Ville de Paris. A competition created in 2019 to “reward the know-how of artisan bakers, pastry chefs and pastry chefs in the capital”. To choose the 2025 winner, the jury – co-chaired by the famous pastry chef Pierre Hermé and by Nicolas Bonnet-Oulaldj, deputy (PCF) of the mayor of Paris in charge of commerce – met this Friday, indicates a press release from the City.
The theme set this year was “aromatic plants and herbs from the woods of Paris”. The candidates were tasked with incorporating it into their recipe. Another rule to respect: do not exceed 3 euros in manufacturing costs.
Constraints that Mathieu Leveque managed to transform into a white pastry chifoumi, topped with golden leaves. In 2022, the pastry chef had already come fifth in the competition. This time the pastry chef gets the check for 4,000 euros.
The 2024 edition distinguished the Franco-American, Raamin Samiyi with a theme on the “values of sport”, Olympic and Paralympic Games oblige. The thirty-year-old won over the members of the jury with his “Diving Opera”, a sweet reference to his favorite sport.
A “young talent” prize is also awarded each year. Mahé Souchu arrives on the first step of the 2025 podium. He will be able to do a one-week internship at Maison Pierre Hermé.
An official awards ceremony will be organized on November 26 at City Hall. Anne Hidalgo, the socialist mayor of Paris, will present them to the winners, in the presence of the members of the jury. It remains to be seen whether it will soon be possible to treat yourself to a “shiso leaf pear” for a snack.
