I want girls to pick this career, says French World’s Best Pastry Chef

The first woman to be named World’s Best Pastry Chef insists it takes a strong personality to succeed in her business.

La Rochelle-born Nina Métayer, 35, was awarded the honour by the International Union of Bakers and Pastry Chefs in October.

Taiwan’s Wu Tzu Ching was named World’s Best Baker.

“I didn’t realise straight away how much impact it would have,” Ms Métayer told The Connexion.

“I’m supported on a daily basis by incredible people. I’m lucky to have won this title but they all deserve it.

“I’m very happy for them and all our partners who believed in us from the start. I’m happy to share it with everyone.”

Photo: Nina Métayer named World’s Best Pastry Chef and Taiwan’s Wu Tzu Ching was named World’s Best Baker; Credit: Nina Métayer SAS

Initially wanted to be a baker

She has enjoyed a spectacular rise in the past 15 years but says little of her career path was planned.

“My initial goal was to live in Mexico [she did a year-long school exchange there] and open a bakery.

“I fell in love with bread. There is something very magical about it: it has simple ingredients that, when mixed together, come to life.”

After training, she could not find the right job in a Parisian bakery so decided to do a pastry course to complete her knowledge.

She credits her time at Hôtel Meurice in Paris, where she was taught by pastry chef Camille Lesecq, for igniting her passion for the job.

“I saw just how much you can do with simple things, and how incredible those things can be.”

Read more: Photos: Japan wins patisserie World Cup in Lyon, France second

My aim is to do better than the day before

Despite the prestigious location, it was never Ms Métayer’s ambition to work in the French capital’s grand palaces.

“I was lucky enough to have the doors open in those places,” she said.

“I always need a challenge and these places are so demanding. I’m a little bit hyperactive and really love discovering and searching. My aim is always to do better than I did the day before.”

As a woman you have to justify yourself all the time

She might be on top of the pâtisserie world now, but Ms Métayer, a mother of two young daughters, has also had to deal with her fair share of tough times.

“I fought a lot. I faced a lot of difficulties, but it’s become easier now,” she said.

“When I started, a lot of doors closed and some opened, and that’s why I’m here. You need a strong personality.

“When you take on a position of responsibility, you are taking on a job that was initially made for a man, so there is competition and jealousy.

“There’s always this view that women are less competent. You get to do things because you’re a woman or because someone wants to help you.

“You have to justify yourself all the time.”

She continued: “When you succeed, when you’re a woman, you have to show it is thanks to your work, like everyone else, and not to your pretty smile.

“We still have a lot of room for improvement in that area but I have the impression that it’s a little bit easier to get respect than before.”

Read more: ‘I tell women to be bold, no field is out of bounds’

I hope help girls start out in this career

Although she was clearly thrilled to be the first woman to be named World’s Best Pastry Chef, when asked if she feels like a pioneer, Ms Métayer said: “There have been others who paved the way for me, but there weren’t many.”

She cited Michelin-starred chefs Anne-Sophie Pic and Hélène Darroze, as well as fellow pâtissière Christelle Brua.

“I don’t know if I’m a pioneer but I dare to hope I have helped other young girls to start out on a career.”

She added: “The problem is, I didn’t have an example of how to start a family with a job like this. I was always told I had to make a choice: it was impossible to be a mother, a company director and be fulfilled.

“What I want to convey as a message is that you can do it.

“You can be fulfilled. You just have to make sure you surround yourself with the right people.”

Ms Métayer’s cakes and pastries can be bought in Paris at Printemps du Goût, boulevard Haussmann and the new Halles Biltoki, Issy-les-Moulineaux or order online.

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