The testimonies of the winners of the French Cup of Schools

Since 2017, we have had the privilege of collaborating with the Compagnons du Devoir through our online courses in baking and pastry. In this context, we wanted to share our exchanges with the winners of the French Schools Baking Cup, excellence category.

We wish to congratulate them, as well as their trainers and the training centers that prepared them for this competition.

Find our interview with Guénolé Grandmaison and Léo Abate !

What motivated you to participate in this edition of the French Schools Cup ?

Guenolé : During our second year of apprenticeship, Léo and I participated in the French Schools Cup hope category. Unfortunately, we finished second but wished to try again two years later, in the excellence category.
This kind of contest allows us to get to know ourselves better, to push ourselves to our limits, to discover new products… But it’s also an exercise that allows us to push our creations and research !

Léo : Since I was young, I’ve had a competitive spirit, I started baking by participating in several contests. Having already done the French Schools Cup and finishing 2nd motivated me to seek revenge. We trained hard to succeed in the trials.

Do you think one of the team’s products made a difference in this competition ? Which product did you prefer to make ?

Guenolé : I trained a lot on the French tradition and I am happy with how it turned out. It’s the product I preferred to make and I think it’s in the heart of all French bakers, especially since its nomination at UNESCO.
Another product I also enjoyed making was the rye pie, which was requested during the making of a regional product.

Léo : The filled pastries and brioche took a lot of time and trials but they made a difference on the buffet, I think.
For the product I preferred to make, I think croissants come in first place !

Any advice for those who would like to embark on the adventure ?

Guénolé : Don’t ask yourself questions! You have to surpass yourself and plunge into the unknown, that’s the richness of such a contest. A real piece of advice would be to surround yourself with people you get along well with because it’s a team contest !

Léo : You also have to push yourself to give your best ! It’s a contest so you have to surpass yourself to be up to the challenge.

How would you describe your experience as an apprentice with the Compagnons du Devoir ? Do you think this made a difference during the contest ?

G : It’s a unique experience, where the community is at the heart of everything. We are used to living together and we have a real team dynamic. This can be an advantage compared to others, we all know each other and have no trouble working as a team, where others might just be getting to know each other.

L : The setting also makes things easier, it’s simpler for us to train because we have labs at our disposal.

Baguette Academy supports several Compagnons du Devoir schools in their online training, have you followed any of our courses ?

G : Yes, I know Baguette Academy! I followed your courses during my CQP Tourier training in Tours. It’s a very playful support !

And after the victory, what are your projects ?

G : My current goal would be to participate in the WorldSkills in two/three years. It’s a very beautiful contest that brings a lot. The final goal would be to try for the MOF contest in 10/15 years, that’s the goal of my life.
I’m also thinking about the French or World Championships, who knows, no ambition is too big, let providence take its course !

L : It would be interesting to participate again, but this time as a coach ! They really helped us prepare for the competition and I thank them !

We wish them success in their future projects and hope that their passion for the world of baking leads them to new victories and achievements !