Diving-themed Cake Emerges Victorious at Pastry Grand Prix in Paris

In a room with a view of the Seine, the scent of warm butter and baked flour filled the air as the opéra pastry, shaped like a diving platform in a glistening blue pool, was crowned the best pastry in Paris on Tuesday. A panel of seven judges, led by renowned French pastry chef Pierre Hermé, oversaw the competition, which included pastry chefs, industry representatives, and everyday Parisians.

The winner of this year's Pastry Grand Prix is fittingly named "The Diving Opéra," and was created by Michelin-starred pastry chef Raamin Samiyi. Since its opening by Samiyi in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, tourists and Parisians have been flocking to the gourmet doughnut store Momzi. "Thank you so much! My heart is beating so fast right now," Samiyi said with a shaking voice as Hermé called him on speakerphone to inform him of the result.

The winning pastry is a French opéra cake in the nontraditional shape of a diving platform.

Xiaofei Xu/CNN

Hermé, famous for his own pastry shop and overseeing dessert preparation for French state banquets (including the one held for King Charles' recent visit to France), was surprised to learn that Samiyi is also a swimmer and diver.

Samiyi replied, "My coach will be competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics." The theme of this year's Grand Prix centered around "sporting values" in preparation for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic games in the French capital.

How the Paris Pastry Grand Prix works

All pastry shops, bakeries, hotels and restaurants in Paris are eligible to participate in the competition. But each shop, chain or group can send only one candidate.

Participants must adhere to certain requirements, including the use of at least one ingredient cultivated or produced in the French capital. Additionally, the submitted pastry must be designed specifically for the Grand Prix and capable of being commercially produced and sold in the participants' shop.

Baguettes are showcased in a photograph taken on May 10, 2023 during the annual "Grand prix de la baguette de tradition française de la Ville de Paris," also known as the best baguette in Paris competition, in Paris. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP) (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images)

He creates the finest baguette in Paris, despite not being French.

The 12 pastries in the final round showcased a variety of beloved French pastries from around the world, such as opéra, Saint-Honoré, éclair, and lemon tart.

The cakes were judged based on five factors: taste, technique, creativity, ingredient quality, and aesthetic, with each factor worth five points. The tasting and grading session lasted four hours and took place in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

After the lemon tarte with cheesecake filling called lOlympia was served as the first cake, two judges took some time to deliberate before jotting down their observations.

The Paris Deputy Mayor Nicolas Bonnet-Oulaldj, who was co-chair of the judging panel, was captivated by a single pastry shaped like a whistle and filled with coffee and chocolate.

The 12 finalists were judged on Tuesday in Paris.

Xiaofei Xu/CNN

Bonnet-Oulaldj inquired the professionals at the table about the challenge of balancing the flavors of coffee and chocolate when combined in a cake.

Hermé responded, amidst laughter from others, that while it is indeed difficult, it is a fundamental skill for a pastry chef.

Samiyi's victory comes with a prize of 4,000 euros ($4,365) and a seat on the judging panel for next year's Grand Prix. The decision of whether to sell his winning diving platform opera in his store is at his discretion, according to the Paris mayor's office as reported by CNN.

For those with a sweet tooth visiting Paris this Christmas and next year, keep an eye out for a sweet diving poolyou dont want to miss the best pastry in Paris.