France is celebrated worldwide for its masterful gastronomy, with pastry chefs leading the way. In 2017, the nation secured the Pastry World Cup for the 8th time via an intricate chocolate sculpture of a drummer and guitarist. This year, Christelle Brua, 41, earned the title of world's best restaurant pastry chef—the first woman to do so. The honor comes from Les Grandes Tables du Monde, uniting 174 elite establishments globally. At the three-Michelin-starred Le Pré Catelan in Paris's Bois de Boulogne, Brua captivates diners with her exquisite creations.
Her standout dessert—an apple with puffed sugar, caramel ice cream, sparkling sugar, and cider—tempts at first glance (see below). 'Christelle Brua has forged a unique, unmistakable identity that inspires a new generation of chefs,' noted David Sinapian, president of Les Grandes Tables du Monde, at the association's 64th congress on October 9, 2018, in Marrakech. Brua's accolades include Pastry Chef of the Year 2008 (Champérard Guide), 2009 (Le Chef magazine), and Best Pastry Chef 2015 (Gault&Millau). Her success story is just beginning—bravo!
