At the beginning of October, there were fourteen of them in Best pastry chef. They discovered a new tent, a new castle – the original one was under construction – and a new host, Laëtitia Milot. This year again, the level is very high, so it is complicated for Cyril Lignac and Mercotte to decide who to keep and who to eliminate. This week, Inès was at the bottom of the ranking during the first event and in penultimate position during the technical event. At the end of the show, despite the good and beautiful result with her pebble cake made for the surprise test, Inès did not manage to keep her place. She was therefore eliminated. Faced with Aurélie in the second part of the evening, the mother of two children did not convince Noëmie Honiat and Mohamed Belkassam, so she definitively left the competition. For Tele-Leisureshe looks back on her journey.
Inès (The Best Pastry Chef 2024) hesitated for a long time before registering: “I didn’t have confidence in myself”
Tele-Leisure : Why did you decide to participate in the Best Pastry Chef ?
Ines : It's been four or five years that my loved ones have been telling me to register, but I admit that I didn't really believe it. I didn't have confidence in myself. And now, it's been two years since I said to myself, 'do it, challenge yourself'. The Best Pastry Chef, It’s accelerated training with all the advice we have. We bake every day, we get up, think and talk about baking. I wanted to push my limits and see how I would react in extreme conditions. I wanted to know more about my abilities to manage stress. And I'm not disappointed!
Was this your first time signing up?
No. Last year, I sent a little description of myself with photos. And this year, I shot a video in Chambéry – to give a nod to Mercotte – and I think they liked it!
How did your passion for baking begin?
When I had my daughter, I wanted to order a Frozen and Minnie cake for her 1st birthday. When I saw the prices, I said to myself that this was not possible. I'm no stupider than anyone else so I found a recipe and made it. I didn't want to pay 150 euros for a cake. I did cake design for a while, until I mastered what I wanted. Afterwards, I got bored so I moved on to classic and refined pastries four years ago.
Inès”apprehended“the filming of Best Pastry Chef 2024: “I wondered if I was going to be comfortable“
How did you feel in the tent?
I felt surprisingly good. I was like a fish in water. I was apprehensive before going there because of the cameras and the journalists, I'm sociable, but it's not the same thing. I wondered if I would be comfortable. I thought I was going to be super stressed, but that's not it.. I excelled, I was extremely comfortable, I was so good, without throwing flowers. But my worst enemy in the tent was the weather. Each time, I was in the juice, and I like to take my time.
This week, you cooked in pairs with Benjamin. How did you experience this ordeal as a duo?
At first, I was apprehensive because I was a flop on the first one. When we were told about the relay, I said to myself 'oh no' because I was afraid of dragging someone down with me. Benjamin, I love him but we don't know each other well. In the end, the relay went very well, he was clear in what he told me.
When you were eliminated, how did you feel? Did you expect it?
It wasn't a surprise, but I wasn't sure about leaving because I made a nice, great last cake. I was disappointed to leave, I had a little hope of staying. I love Tsiory, but I wish it was him who came out. But that’s the game, that’s how it is!
Were you able to speak with Cyril Lignac and Mercotte at the end of filming?
No, not too much. For the little anecdote, her makeup artist is called Inès and she sent me a message telling me that she couldn't find her lipstick, I replied: 'You have the wrong Inès, Mercotte'
How did your daughters react when they discovered your journey in the competition?
When I came home, they cried because they were disgusted that I came home. They were very proud that I participated, but sad because they wanted me to go as far as possible.
Inès, completely fan of Laëtitia Milot: “It's a love, a pearl“
What do you think of Laëtitia Milot hosting the Best pastry chef?
I was watching More beautiful life when I was younger, so I was so happy to see her. I loved her, she was the fifteenth. She was new, like us, so she got her bearings just like us. It created a bond. It's a love, a pearl. She always had a little word of comfort. Morally, it was a real source of kindness and well-being.
You find yourself facing Aurélie in the second part of the evening. Knowing that she had already won three duels, wasn't that added pressure?
If ! That she succeeds in two challenges in a row ok, but there, she blew up Dorothée, Laëtitia, Céline… I thought I was facing Céline, but when I see Aurélie, I say to myself 'oh my god, she must be really strong'. But I knew what I was going to do and how. I was more in competition with myself.
How did you experience this ordeal facing Aurélie?
Moderately. The spiral that I'm making, I've already done at home, but at home, I have time!
Finally, you were eliminated for good. What do you remember from your participation?
Only positive! I loved the cameras, I loved the pastry chef.
Maybe we could see you again on another TV show then…
In connection with cooking, why not! I felt super comfortable in front of the cameras. I'm not against it.
How do you see the future now?
I have lots of projects, but you'll have to contact me in a few weeks to find out. As long as it's not done, I'm not talking!
