A Tasty Treat by Christelle Brua, Appointed Pastry Chef to the Elysée Palace

Dubbed pastry cheffe of the Year 2009 by Le Chef magazine, and World’s Best Pastry Cheffe 2018 by Les Grandes Tables du Monde, the super-talented pâtissier Christelle Brua turns a new page this summer when she joins chef Guillaume Gomez “by appointment to the Elysée Palace.” Welcome to another world, where a brigade of 28 chefs manage everything from the daily meals of President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte to major state occasions when hundreds of VIPs are served. Christelle Brua currently works at Le Pré Catelan, and she’ll take over as Head Pastry Chef at the Elysée in the summer. A new challenge beckons but, in the meantime, she’s created something fabulous for International Mother’s Day, called “La Charlotte de Christelle Brua.” It’s a sweet culinary collaboration with MOF Guy Krenzer (Executive chef and Dirécteur de la Création chez Lenôtre). Available in limited edition from 22-23 May at all Lenôtre boutiques (priced at €39). Tip for pastry fans: If you’re in the ‘hood, meet Christelle in person at Lenôtre’s Neuilly-sur-Seine boutique on Saturday, May 25th in the afternoon and Sunday morning May 26th, 2019 at 48 Avenue Victor Hugo, 16th. She’s worked for the last 16 years alongside Frédéric Anton at the *** Pré Catelan. I recall Christelle explaining with pride, back in 2003, that it took months to perfect her dreamy, signature work of art dessert pomme en sucre soufflé (green apple, spun green sugar, cider and caramel ice cream). Since then her technique, passion and talent have won so many prizes and plaudits. A working mother, Christelle manages professional and personal life with elegance. Totally committed to #balanceyourkitchen, her brigade always includes more cheffes than chefs – rare in the masochistic, testosterone packed world of French restaurants.