 A decision has been reached! Europe's best dessert, naturally with gelatine, has been chosen. The Italian Chiara Censori was the winner in the Grand Final of the GME European Dessert Competition, which was held in the 5-star Hotel Meurice in Paris on 6 and 7 December. Full of joy she falls into the arms of her boyfriend Matteo Constantini.
She can hardly believe that her favourite recipe, Multistrato al cioccolato (Chocolate cream multilayer cake), has been selected. This delicious chocolate dessert convinced the jury in terms of taste, consistency, appearance and creativity.
Second place went to the German Kathrin Praczyk. She prepared her Kokoscreme auf Mangospalten mit Kirschsauce with lots of love, calm and concentration during the tense competition.
Third place went to Holland's Antoinette Schaaphuizen, who had travelled to the French metropolis with her aunt. Kletskopjes was the name given to her unusual dessert.
Seven national winners from France, Great Britain, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain came together in Paris – and each one of them brought along a really special recipe for a gelatine dessert.
From the left to the right: Antoinette Schaaphuizen (Netherlands), Maria Pilar Martin Galilea (Spain), Mieke van Zele (Belgium), Kathrin Praczyk (Germany), Valentina Harris (jury), Chiara Censori (Italy), Yannick Alleno (jury), Martine Bailey (France), Ernst Knam (jury)
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Starting for France was Andrée Farama with „Bavarois chocolat-orange“ |
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The European Dessert Competition is a co-operation between the GME and popular magazines from seven European countries: Femme actuelle (France), Safeway Magazine (Great Britain), Lisa Kochen & Backen (Germany), Cucina Moderna (Italy), Cocina Fácil (Spain), Libelle (Netherlands) and Story (Belgium).
The decision as to who would carry off the "GME Dessert Award" was taken by a top-class jury of three leading international chefs.
From the left to the right: Ernst Knam (jury), Kathrin Praczyk (Germany), Antoinette Schaaphuizen (Netherlands), Chiara Censori (Italy), Yannick Alleno (jury), Valentina Harris (jury)
Valentina Harris is a star chef in Great Britain, where she is well-known on radio, television and in popular magazines. As her name already indicates she has Anglo-Italian roots. Although Valentina lives in England, food and pleasure for her is generally Italian. And she was on hand with her Italian temperament to advise the finalists in the kitchens of Hotel Meurice, incidentally one of the top addresses in Paris.
Ernst Knam has gathered his culinary experience all over the world. His chosen profession has taken him from Germany via Scotland, Great Britain, Switzerland, China and Singapore to Italy. As the patissier in London's Dorchester Hotel he prepared sweet specialities for the Queen and other members of the royal family. Thanks to his international flair – he speaks German, Italian, English and French – there were no communication problems in the kitchens. Ernst Knam really got involved: Together with "Bavarois chocolat-orange", the French gelatine dessert, he spent three minutes in the refrigerated warehouse at minus 30 degrees. Unfortunately not only was the dessert really cold afterwards, but he was too, forcing him to spend the next days in bed with a feverish cold.
Yannick Alleno is a native of Paris. In France he has been celebrated as the best senior chef of the younger generation. In 2002 Yannick Alleno received two Michelin stars. An outstanding achievement for a 35-year-old!
Since August of this year he has been the head chef at the Hotel Meurice in the heart of Paris. His up-and-coming kitchen staff were on hand to assist the assiduous finalists during the exciting competition. If anyone needed flour, sugar, a mixer or simply a nod of encouragement – his staff were always there.
The GME would once again like to sincerely thank Yannick Alleno for making available his kitchens for the dessert competition!
Paris – a true highlight
Once the competition was over there was lots for the finalists to see and experience: During a boat trip along the River Seine the winners were treated to French delicacies, and were able to admire the sights of Paris.
 Afterwards it was on to the "Moulin Rouge", perhaps the world's most famous cabaret, with its first-class dance spectacles. Sunday's agenda was given over to sight-seeing. The weekend in Paris ended for the hobby patissiers with a tasty lunch in the famous Café Procope, where Voltaire and Balzac once dined.
And the excitement continues for you. The winning recipes in the Europe Dessert Competition will gradually be made available on these pages – keep your eyes peeled therefore!
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