Ganache with panache as pastry chefs on Bake Off

THE entire nation got a chance to see the mouth-watering creations of a Cardiff pâtissier as Cocorico’s owner, Laurian Veaudor, competed on BBC’s Bake Off Crème de la Crème.

Laurian, whose patisserie is in the city’s Whitchurch Road, is joined by his second pastry chef, Thibault Courtoisier.

He has been in Cardiff for 16 years and feeding the city’s food lovers for the past six. On Tuesday night viewers saw his team make it through to the next round, despite the judges giving away nothing during the tasting process.

The show sees a group of pastry chefs go up against one another to be crowned the best of the best in their industry.

Laurian, who is originally from the Rhône Valley, and Thibault are joined by a third pâtissier, Jeremy, to make the pink team.

They created two batches of miniatures – 36 fraisiers and 36 verrines – and the showpiece, where the teams must reinvent a classic dessert.

Laurian explained why he thinks the show is important, saying: “This year the UK Pastry Team competed in the Pastry World Cup and came eighth in the world! It’s time for patisseries and pastry chefs to get the recognition.

“It’s not just about making cakes, we are artists who can shape chocolate. It’s something we don’t get to do often. And it’s good fun.”

Bake Off: Crème de la Crème is on BBC 2 at 8pm on Tuesdays.