It was on April 13, 2018 that Mahmoud M'SEDDI, a young 27-year-old baker based on Boulevard Raspail in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, won the title of Best Traditional Baguette in Paris.
Mahmoud received his trophy on May 5, 2018, after the inauguration of the Bread Festival on the Parvis of Notre Dame de Paris.
As is tradition, Mahmoud M'SEDDI becomes, for one year, the new supplier of the Elysée Palace.
22 young finalists, aged 17 to 21 and representing all French regions, met in Caen on May 15 and 16 to try to win the trophy.
A jury composed of the 3 MOF bakers Alain MARIE, Yann TABOUREL and Cyrille Van der STUYFT and the European Bakery Champions had great difficulty in deciding between the candidates who all demonstrated great mastery.
It was finally Capucine PETIT, a student at the Paris School of Bakery and Pastry, representing the Ile de France region, who took home the trophy.
Reunion Island, represented by Imran Badin, a student at the Lycée La Renaissance de Saint Paul, took third place. After an 11-hour flight, jet lag, and a change of climate, Imran brilliantly defended his school's colors.
Created by two INBP trainers: Philippe Hermenier – MOF baker and Denis Fatet, the baguetteUNUSUAL was revealed at the Bread Festival.
A wavy grigne for this baguette where traditional flour and spelt flour are combined, a baguette rich in flavor, fiber and a very good nutritional balance.
The best baguette is… from Réunion
On this May 16th, St. Honoré's Day, after a fierce competition, the podium for the Best Traditional French Baguette was unveiled on the forecourt of Notre Dame de Paris.
1st prize: Laurent ENCATASSAMY, baker in Saint Paul de la Réunion (974)
2nd prize: Aymeric ROUSSE, baker in Leguevin – Haute Garonne (31) Occitanie region
3rd prize Sébastien CARBALLO-TORIBIO, baker in Maulause – Tarn et Garonne (82) Occitanie region