There are few things Toronto takes more seriously than a good croissant. On October 4, 500 people gathered at Ricarda’s for the Toronto edition of French Morning Media Group’s Best Croissant & Best Baguette Competition, a travelling competition that puts bakeries in different cities head-to-head over two very French staples.
Twelve Toronto bakeries competed, with attendees tasting their way through the entries and voting for the People’s Choice Award. A professional jury judged the croissants and baguettes for the Grand Prix, making for an afternoon that was essentially one very serious excuse to eat a lot of pastry.
Tangssant Viennoiserie took home the Grand Prix for Best Croissant. The downtown newcomer impressed the judges with its precise lamination, flaky layers and buttery flavour. Goûter had an even bigger day, taking home both the People’s Choice Award and the title of Best Baguette in Toronto.
Beyond the winners, the competition offered a snapshot of where Toronto’s bakery scene is heading. French technique is increasingly meeting flavours and ideas from East Asia, with bakeries putting their own spin on familiar French formats.
Tangssant, Duo Patisserie and Hazukido are among the spots drawing on baking traditions from Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Matcha, black sesame, taro and salted egg yolk are making their way into French-style pastries, often with a lighter hand on the sugar.
The formats are changing too. New York rolls have gone round, danishes are getting loaded with fruit and dark chocolate and rice pudding has found a home inside a cruffin.
The 12 finalists were Tangssant Viennoiserie, Goûter, Nadège, HV Bakery, Bakery Pompette, Evana Patisserie, Maison Kookoo, Duo Patisserie & Cafe, Tatin Bakehouse, French Made, The Baking Bar and Chokwoklat.
These bakeries are spread across the GTA, so you can easily make a weekend of it. Start with the winner or work your way through the finalists closer to home — either way, there’s a very good croissant waiting.