What is a ‘Meilleur Ouvrier de France’ (MOF) in baking ?

This a baker who has won a prestigious competition held every four years over three days and which leads to a state and peer-recognised diploma for excellence and professionalism. Candidates are judged for tasks – organising baking production, managing  ingredients and preparations, producing (fementation, kneading, bread, pastries, sweet and salted pastry, decoration, sandwich-making) hygiene and safety. There are less than 100  Baking MOF in France. They are part of the elite of French bakers.