Nina Métayer, a leading figure in the French pastry world, has just added another distinction to her already impressive list of honours. On Wednesday June 6, she was crowned "World's Best Pastry Chef 2024" by the prestigious The World's 50 Best Restaurants awards. This international recognition comes just a few months after she was awarded the title of World Pastry Chef by the Uibc.
Being named "World's Best Pastry Chef" by The World's 50 Best Restaurants awards is a recognition of Nina Métayer's talent and hard work. This distinction strengthens her reputation and that of French patisserie around the world, while inspiring a new generation of pastry chefs to push back the boundaries of their art.
"It's an honor, a few months after my nomination for World Pastry Chef 2023 by the Uibc*, to be recognized internationally by the demanding jury of the50 Best Academy, which brings together over a thousand professionals, enlightened gourmets and independent experts from the restaurant industry.
In a statement, Nina Métayer said:
"My heartfelt thanks go to the World's 50 Best organization and all the members of the Academy for this distinction, which is also that of each and every one of my colleagues. Thank you to my wonderful team for your unfailing commitment to me, the quality of your work, your know-how, your passionate demands and this shared love for our craft of pastry-making.
Ihave a special thought this evening for the chefs of the restaurants that helped me grow. My first steps in the Parisian palaces with Yannick Alléno and Camille Lesecq at Le Meurice; Amandine Chaignot at Le Raphaël. Then with Jean-François Piège at the Grand Restaurant. Their uncompromising attitude, know-how and creativity have forged the pastry chef and business leader I am today.
This distinction highlights what is, for me, essential in pastry-making: emotion and the awakening of the senses. My patisserie is first and foremost a story of gourmandise, that simple pleasure that's obvious, almost familiar, that awakens childhood memories, that invites sharing, that evokes joyful moments with loved ones, family and friends. It's to pass on and share these little gourmet pleasures that my team and I are so happy to sublimate the elegant simplicity of our cakes, crafting them with delicacy, lots of love and beautiful products with respect for the land and the people who produce them.
In addition to the recognition I've received, I'm thinking tonight of all the other top pastry chefs who, without being in the limelight, are shining a light on the excellence of our profession, whether around the world or in their own villages.
I'm also thinking particularly of the women chefs, those who have paved the way, all those who have been told, as I've heard so often, that it may be possible to succeed in our professions, but certainly not to reach the highest level. I hope that my career path, marked by these two worldwide awards a few months apart, will demonstrate to all young girls and women that it is possible to break through the glass ceiling.
Thank you for this distinction, which honors me and obliges me and my team to make, simply, rigorously and without bluster, very good cakes to contribute to the influence of our profession and France's gastronomic heritage."
So, with all these distinctions, are you now wondering where to (re)discover Nina Métayer's pastries in Paris? There's delivery with Délicatisserie, her online boutique, her counter at Printemps du Goût, her snack bar at Café Clotilde and very soon the Café de la Rose Lancôme x Nina Métayer on the Champs-Élysées. In short, stay tuned!
Official website
ninametayer.com
