PARIS (AP) — Paris has a new king of the crusty baguette. Baker Xavier Netry was chosen this week as the 31st winner of Paris’ annual “Grand Prix de la baguette” prize. His long loaf beat 172 others. Competing baguettes were evaluated for taste, look, texture, airiness and the quality of the baking. The jury included a deputy mayor, industry representatives, journalists and six Parisians that City Hall said were drawn at random. The Utopie bakery in Paris’ 11th district that Netry works for wins 4,000 euros ($4,290) and becomes one of the suppliers of the presidential Elysee Palace for a year. City Hall said uneaten baguettes from the competition were donated to a charity that feeds people who are homeless. Netry, a baker for 25 years, said the secrets of his success are a good sourdough starter and “a good long fermentation,” careful cooking and “some love and some passion, of course.” |
'Very significant' rise in home insurance premiums revealedChanges to tenancy laws to come into force next yearChina news: China to increase nuclear warheads to 1500, Pentagon warnsTrump suffers pair of setbacks as judges reject calls to dismiss chargesPetrobras, WEG partner up to build 7 MW onshore wind turbineShooting at Ramadan event in West Philadelphia leaves 3 injured, 5 in custody, police sayUnemployment drops to 7.9% in quarter ending in JulySavings accounts have net withdrawals of BRL 5.83 bi in SeptemberVOX POPULI: Ippei Mizuhara’s interpretation skills make the news even sadderChina sanctions 2 US defense companies and says they support arms sales to Taiwan