Christophe Michalak: from junk food to prized pastry chef

AFP, March, 2008

DEAUVILLE, France (AFP) — Though only in his 30s, Christophe Michalak, creator of patisseries at a top Paris eatery, is one of the rare restaurant pastry chefs to have made a name for himself almost surpassing that of the cuisine chef.

With a hairdo like comic-book character Tintin and the impish look of a boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar, Michalak is known for putting his own spin on classic French favourites in his cuisine at the luxury hotel Le Plaza Athenee.

His whimsical creations, such as the After Eight macaroon and a chocolate-coated marshmallow bear for adults, are bringing a new sense of fun to the serious world of French patisserie.

Winner of the Pastry World Cup in Lyon in 2005, this personable 34-year-old credits his iconoclastic style...