the secrets of a king of pancakes in Yvelines

The first weekend of January 2025, Maison Bourguignon sold no less than 1,000 galettes des rois! A figure that can make you dizzy, but can be explained very simply: it is here, in Gargenville (Yvelines), that the best almond pancake Yvelines.

After 2017 and 2022, manager Rodolphe Bourguignon has tripled the betin the employers category, during the departmental competition organized in mid-November 2024 in Versailles (the title holder must observe a waiting year, Editor's note).

“I think my father, a former baker who died twenty years ago, would be very proud of me. Especially since when I was younger, I hated the bakery. When I worked in real estate, I didn't think I would ever return. »

The national title in sight

Rodolphe Bourguignon changed his mind and it was a good thing for him. In less than ten years, he won three departmental titles and one regional title in 2022. Only the national competition still resists him, despite a good fourth place in 2023 during his only participation.

“I went there half-heartedly, I simply didn't have the level. Opposite, there were candidates trained by Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (MOF). I want to go back in 2026 and aim for the podium! I discovered the secret of the first three! »

Hundreds of participants each year

Of course, he will keep it to himself. However, do not believe that the prix for the best galette des rois des Yvelines is awarded to anyone or to a cookie cutter.

“We have several hundred participants each year,” assures Olivier Gérard, president of the Yvelines bakery-pastry federation, the organizer of the event. In the jurythere are professionals like the winner of the previous edition or even a double European champion of pastries. »

“We judge the pancake on the cooking, the cut, the garnish, the lamination, the harmony… It's simple, it must be perfect! »

Customers come from all over the region

More than just a trophy and a diploma, the competition offers visibility outstanding to its winner. In Gargenville, this translates into customers traveling from all over the region and sales that are exploding.

“In 2017, we made between 600 and 700 cakes. After the first title, we reached around 2,000 cakes. This year, we will exceed the 3,500 mark.”

At a price that remains accessible since, for six people, it will cost you €22.80. “The galette des rois sold in stores is different from that of competitions,” explains the manager. It will be much less golden. But that's a question of customer preference. »

“It’s all in the helping hand”

To become a reference in the field, the 40-year-old from Yvelin worked like a madman. “What I like most about this competition is that it’s all about the hand, it doesn’t depend on the ingredients. »

“I had to fight against a certain irregularity. Today, if I put 40 pancakes in the oven, they will all look the same. »

At the time we visited him, Rodolphe Bourguignon was awaiting the imminent arrival of the jury of the regional competitionjust to further enrich a collection of trophies to which must be added two prizes for the best baguette in Yvelines.

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