FRENCH PASTRY CHEF REIGNS SUPREME
Christelle Brua, French pastry chef at the three-michelin-star Pré Catelan restaurant in Paris, became the first woman to win the Valrhona Best Pastry Chef in the World award, hosted by the prestigious restaurant association, Les Grandes Tables du Monde, at their 64th conference in Marrakech, Morocco. HN asked her for her reaction to what represents a great personal accolade and major milestone for female pastry chefs around the globe.
How do you feel about being the first woman to receive this award?
This award is a source of great joy and pride, which I would like to share with Chef Frédéric Anton and the Pré Catelan team. I am very pleased to have received this distinction, irrespective of my gender, which was never really something I thought about much. However, if it helps to provide other female chefs around the world with greater visibility and boost their confidence, then I view it as very positive!
What helped you emerge as the top contender?
Answering that question is complicated. I cannot speak for those who voted for me, but I think above all, it’s a journey that would have been impossible without the work of the team at the restaurant, Le Pré Catelan. I think the dessert called ‘La Pomme’, which has become the restaurant’s signature dish, was another decisive factor and may have had a major impact on the competition’s jury members.
What are your plans for the future?
I work continuously on creating new desserts for Le Pré Catelan with Chef Frédéric Anton. We are always looking for new emotions to reveal to our customers. Longer term, I see myself working on more personal projects.