The news came via a press release and a post on François Perret 's Instagram account. It has to be said that we weren't prepared, since just a few days ago, he inaugurated the Ritz's second boutique, Le Comptoir, on the Bon Marché side.
François Perret, head of the Ritz Paris patisserie for the past ten years, will leave the establishment in summer 2025, as jointly announced by the hotel and the chef. Having arrived in 2015, he has breathed true identity into the patisserie of this legendary establishment, combining tradition, contemporary creativity and sensory audacity. This marks the end of an important chapter in the hotel's history, one that for years has left its mark on the image of this grand hotel.
In the space of a decade, François Perret has revolutionized palace pastry-making, imposing his unmistakable style. The elongated mille-feuille, the modern madeleines and the revisited marbré have become signatures of the house. The 2021 opening of Ritz Paris Le Comptoir, conceived as a showcase for haute pâtisserie for the general public, confirmed this approach, culminating in the title of Best Patisserie in the World in 2024.
Ritz General Manager Laurent Herschbach hailed the "unparalleled success" of his tenure, and a "fruitful collaboration" that will have "left an indelible mark" on the history of the palace. "François Perret has combined excellence and creativity, surrounding himself with a close-knit team and infusing our House with a unique vision."
In a lengthy message posted on Instagram, the chef shared his "immense pride" and "profound gratitude", claiming to have "shaped a singular pastry identity, rooted in the heritage of the place and resolutely turned towards modernity". In it, he recalls an adventure as much human as artistic, and salutes the teams with whom he has worked: "Working alongside you, in this exceptional place, will have been an honor and a privilege I will never forget."
He adds: "Every dessert imagined, every service performed, every challenge taken up together remains engraved in my memory. It's these bonds forged with you that make this departure so moving."
For the moment, we don't know what's going on with the Patisseries. No mention is made of it in either the press release or the chef's post.
For the time being, François Perret remains discreet about the next steps in his career. "I'm leaving with the conviction of having written an important page in the sweet history of the Ritz Paris. I'm ready to write a new chapter", he declared, keeping the mystery alive. Several observers of the gastronomic world are already imagining a personal project, such as a house in his name, or an international adventure. His future is already arousing keen curiosity in the world of haute pâtisserie.
The question remains unanswered. No name has yet been put forward to take over from the man who redefined the luxury patisserie. The bar is set high for the man or woman who will take the helm of this sweet institution.
This departure marks the end of an era for the Ritz, but also a strong expectation on the part of the public and gastronomy professionals as to the next steps in François Perret's career. Stay tuned!
