Diary News from Paris: Exploring Fashion, Art, Food, Culture, and More

Absolutely perfect

Established since 2010 by the Association for the Preservation of Egg Mayonnaise, the world championship for the best egg/mayonnaise has delivered its verdict. And the good news is that France has managed to stand out! The egg/mayonnaise has become a flagship recipe in French gastronomy, especially in bistros. In fact, this recipe has become an emblem of Bouillons, alongside leek vinaigrette or pâté en croûte. It's official: the world's best egg/mayo is from Paris. Maxime Plateau, chef of the bistro Le Moulin à vent, located in the 5th arrondissement of the capital, has clinched the coveted title. A proud moment for the chef: "I am very happy with this award," he shared after his victory on the BFM Paris Île-de-France microphone. "It's the culmination of a year's worth of work. Thank you, everyone; I thoroughly enjoyed myself!"

World title

The grand celebration of pâté en croûte, a true emblem of French and Lyonnais gastronomy, took place on Monday, December 4th, at La Sucrière in Lyon. And after three years of Japanese hegemony, France has finally regained its national prestige with the resounding victory of Chef Frédéric Le Guen-Geffroy, the head of Club TP90 in Paris. This passionate artisan managed to charm the jury, chaired by former world champion Karen Torosyan, with his unparalleled mastery of this culinary specialty. In total, the competition pitted 14 participants from around the world against each other, competing in creativity and boldness to create the most delicious pâtés en croûte. France, the homeland of this delightful specialty, has regained its place at the top of the competition, showcasing the excellence of its charcutier artisans. Also worth noting is the distinction of Antonin Roux, chef of the restaurant La Mère Brazier in Lyon, who received the prestigious Richelieu prize, highlighting the exceptional commitment and skill of this talented chef.

Parisian institution

Former jazz club from the 1950s frequented by Juliette Gréco and Boris Vian, which became a trendy nightclub in the 2000s, Le Montana is reinventing itself as a restaurant and cocktail bar. Ideally located in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, between Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore, Le Montana evokes an imagined Paris that inspires the glamorous decor of the place: the red of Bakelite, the whiteness of ivory, the refinement of opaline meet velvet, marble, and brass. In the kitchen, young Italian chef Francisco Raul Conforti revisits classics of French cuisine: exceptional meat with shallots, confit lamb shoulder, or pâté en croûte with foie gras and morels, all served in silver dishes. While enjoying a cocktail on the ground floor, the dinner continues on the rooftop with a breathtaking view of Paris.

Fantastic retrospective

Scheduled for September 18, 2024, at the Grand Palais Immersif, the immersive exhibition Frida Kahlo ¡Viva La Vida! will transcend the boundaries of traditional art to offer a unique sensory and narrative experience. Designed by two Mexican curators, this creation harmoniously combines 360º projections, stop-motion animations, and a captivating original soundtrack. The result is a deep dive into the complex universe of the global icon cherished around the world. Through a loop of spectacular images, visitors will be invited to discover the intricacies of the artist's tumultuous life. The starting point is the artist's intimate diary, miraculously discovered two decades after her death in her home.

Ritz Paris installs its carousel on Place Vendôme

Unique, this custom-made surprise carousel, created in the hotel's colors, will enchant both young and old who will escape for a enchanted ride. Right next to it, a wooden Christmas chalet will delight fans of the famous creations of pastry chef François Perret, such as the white tree, a gluten-free almond and cinnamon shortbread covered with a thin layer of crispy sugar and gold flakes, or the crunchy praline-pecan, composed of a delicious vanilla pastry cream and a creamy praline-pecan. And to warm up, nothing beats the signature hot chocolate, a 70% Panama with incomparable creaminess and spicy and floral aromas. Ritz Paris enthusiasts can also treat themselves to the essential "groom" teddy bear, the notebook, or the gold pouch. Until December 31, from Wednesday to Sunday, from 3 pm to 8 pm.

The most gourmet

The French tea house Dammann Frères and panettone maestro Christophe Louie unveil a limited edition recipe, as tasty as it is ingenious. The Italian cake is made from an infusion of Rooibos tea with spices, orange peels, as well as aromas of gingerbread, bitter orange, and cherry. To bring out all these flavors, Christophe Louie added the most surprising cranberry, apple, ginger, vanilla, and generous pieces of candied orange. To enhance the experience, this panettone is accompanied by a tea box: 6 sachets of Flocons d’Épices, a black tea with citrus and Christmas spice aromas (cinnamon, nutmeg, clove), and orange peels — to better accompany the tasting.

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