With its rounded shape and soft, crunchy shell, the macaroon has seduced the hearts and taste buds of gourmets the world over. A veritable monument of French pastry-making, the macaroon is now available in many different versions: chocolate, vanilla, pistachio, coffee or black sesame... everyone has their own preference. But you still need to know the right places to enjoy this tricolored specialty.
This autumn, the Seine-et-Marne département, in association with the Syndicat des Boulangers du Grand Paris, organized the latest edition of the competition for the best macaron in Île-de-France. On November 7, several pastry chefs from the region presented their creations at the Résidence Château du Mée.
This year, there were three categories: chocolate macaroon, innovative macaroon (choice of flavour) and apprentice macaroon (vanilla flavour). Each macaroon had to weigh between 12 and 18 grams.
After tasting the many macarons presented for the occasion by candidates from Île-de-France, the awards ceremony for the region's best macaroon took place on November 12 at the 27th Salon de la Gastronomie in Seine-et-Marne.
So, who are this year's lucky winners, and where should you go to enjoy the best macarons in Île-de-France?
In the " Chocolate Macaroon " category, Les Petits Gourmands, based in Athis-Mons, Essonne, took first prize, followed by Frédéric Cassel, in Fontainebleau, Seine-et-Marne, and Maison Delmontel, in the 9th arrondissement, Paris.
In the " Innovative Macaron " category, the bakery-patisserie Aux Délices de Laura in Ballainvilliers, also in Essonne, took first place. Frédéric Cassel in Fontainebleau took second place, followed by Créatrice de saveurs in Nanteuil-lès-Meaux, Seine-et-Marne.
Finally, on the apprentice side, Paul Tixier, working at Frédéric Cassel, took first place.
