After thirteen weeks of competition, it was Maud who won season 10 of the Best pastry chef. At 16, the high school student thus becomes the youngest winner of the show. She comes back, for us, on her remarkable journey.
It is the proof that value does not await the number of years. At just 16 years old, Maud inscribes his name in the pantheon of Best pastry chef by winning season 10, but also by being the youngest winner of the show. Week after week, the high school student impressed the guest chefs, Christelle brua, the pastry chef at the Élysée who offered him an apprenticeship, at Christophe Michalak, who qualified her “UFO“during the final tasting. The teenager looks back on her extraordinary journey.
Cast by … Instagram!
TV-Leisure : Why did you sign up for the show?
Maud : I saw seasons 8 and 9 and told myself that one day, I would like to do this in my life. Some time later, I got a message on Instagram from someone working in the casting of a baking show on M6 asking if I was interested. I told myself that if it was a joke, it was not funny, because you should not make hope like that. After confirmation, I went to the casting, with two cakes, telling myself that I had to try your luck, but without really believing it. I didn’t expect to be in the final selection at all. When I found out that I was taking part in the competition, I was happy ten minutes, but after that I was anxious because I wondered what I was getting myself into. For me, I didn’t have the level at all to go on this pastry show.
How did you react when you found out that you were the youngest on set?
When I arrive on the set, I know that I will be the only minor because they are not going to take two young people in the casting. I expected it but was a bit apprehensive to spend up to two months with only adults. I was afraid I would be looked down on. But the fact of doing well in the first test gave me credibility. And in the end, everyone was really nice and caring. Today, I kept in touch with a lot of candidates, we created strong links.
“I’ve never had so much energy in my life“
What does being the youngest candidate in the competition and the youngest winner mean to you?
It is a source of pride. You don’t need to have experience in life to have skills in certain areas. Sometimes some adults tend to judge us differently and have lower expectations.
The finish is very tight. Did you expect to win?
The final was a continuation of the competition: often top on the challenge of Cyril and flop on the technical test of Mercotte. It was above all a special atmosphere because, unlike the other candidates in the previous rounds, we knew it was our last day. We were both happy and nostalgic. I told myself that if I didn’t give it my all, I was going to regret it. We hadn’t slept much the night before. We had finished at 1am the day before and at 7am, we were already on the set. And yet, I don’t think I’ve ever had so much energy in my life, I was running around. Once the test is over, the verdict arrives. Deep down, I think I really believed in it, but I didn’t really want to admit it to myself. I thought : “Better not to claim victory too quickly, because if it’s not you, you might be disappointed.“While it was already a great ride. But the others were telling me it was going to be me. When my name is announced, I cry, both in relief, gratitude and joy. It was so unexpected! a year ago if someone told me i would do The best pastry chef, I would have laughed at him.
“If I had to do it again, I would react differently“
What did you learn about yourself from the show?
Many things. It made me realize the strength that one could draw to surpass oneself. On another note, being young, at the beginning, it was a bit complicated because all the other candidates had experienced more things and managed stress. Me, apart from the patent, I do not see what I experienced stressful. At the start of the competition, I was losing my means, I got angry. If I had to do it again, I would react differently. The show made me grow up, I manage my emotions better today. Finally, spending two months with adults was very rewarding. I was able to hear people other than my parents talking about their work, their life … It opened my mind.
You are often very hard on yourself. Looking back, how do you rate yourself on the show?
Sometimes I feel good and sometimes I tell myself that I am unbearable. When I say that my pie is completely messed up because a little detail is different from what I imagined, and the jury says it is good, it creates misunderstanding for the viewer. I tell myself that I have abused a little.
“I woke up at night“
What was the most difficult thing during the filming?
Mental fatigue. When you watch TV, you get the impression that I have enough confidence in what I’m going to do. But this is to persuade myself that it will work. In fact, I was constantly questioned. During the tastings of others, I remembered what had worked for them, where it had failed. The first few days, I would wake up at night thinking about things I wanted to try. It’s unbearable for two months! (She laughs.) But it was a crazy experience! I have never had so much fun.
What remark, positive or negative, struck you the most?
It’s not so much when I was told my cake had given chills, it’s quite subjective, but rather when I was told it was marketable. We are compared to professionals, it is glorifying.
A high school authorization
The shooting took place in the spring. How did you juggle the lessons?
Well … we don’t juggle! (Laughs.) I had explained the situation to my school administration. As I had rather good results, they told me that there was no problem, I could participate in the show, that did not affect my appearance in the premiere. During the filming, I saw the delay accumulate, the homework that I did not do … No one in my class knew where I was (the classes were held in half-gauge at the time, editor’s note). The school had told me that I would have to catch up during the holidays. Except that we had to write a cookbook, after the victory in The best pastry chef. At the start of the school year, I fell from a height.
During its passage, Christelle Brua suggested that you take an apprenticeship at the Élysée. What is it?
I was very touched and flattered, but I don’t want to quit my studies just yet so I don’t plan to follow through. I’ve been baking for a year and a half. I love it, but I don’t really want to go for it now.
Today, where are you?
I’m continuing high school, for safety. Stop before the ferry, it’s hot. I have always had good results, I tell myself that I will not give up everything now. If, after the baccalaureate, I have an activity that satisfies me, perhaps I will not continue with higher studies. I still suffer. I’m lucky, because, on the networks, it works pretty well for me. I am working on a collaboration with a pastry shop to be able to sell one of my creations very soon. I created my website, where I offer my recipes, and there is the book that is arriving. I would also like to find a way to offer training to pass on what I know to passionate people like me.