Breton Pastry Chef Julien Favrel Competes in French Dessert Championship

Ploufragan, Côtes-d’Armor – Julien Favrel, an 18-year-old apprentice pastry chef from the CFA (Centre de Formation d’Apprentis) in Ploufragan, is representing Brittany at the French Dessert Championship on March 18th in Gérardmer, Vosges. He will compete with his signature dessert, “Ar Razh-Mor,” which translates to “Knives of the Sea” in Breton.

A Unique Breton Creation

Favrel’s dessert is a tribute to his region, utilizing 100% Breton ingredients, including buttermilk and buckwheat. He described the dessert as evoking the aroma of Breton pancakes. Le Télégramme reports that the dessert is chocolate-based.

From Motorcycle Mechanic to Pastry Chef

Favrel’s path to pastry wasn’t preordained. He initially considered a career as a motorcycle mechanic but discovered a passion for baking after being hired as an apprentice at a bakery. “I wanted to work as a motorcycle mechanic and in the end I passed a bakery and they hired me as they were looking for apprentices. It really made me happy, this feeling of working with my hands, of creating something,” he recalled.

Preparing for the Competition

The championship will challenge Favrel to prepare, cook, and present his dessert within a strict 4.5-hour timeframe. His instructor, Didier Piquet, head of the hotel and catering sector at the Ploufragan apprentice training center, emphasized the importance of using fresh ingredients for optimal tasting. Piquet believes the competition is a significant opportunity for Favrel’s career, stating that it’s a well-known event in the professional world and could lead to opportunities at prestigious establishments.

Support from Classmates

Favrel’s classmates are confident in his abilities. One apprentice, after tasting “Ar Razh-Mor,” commented that it was “very solid, very fresh.”

Recent Success

Julien Favrel previously qualified for the finale of the French Dessert Championship with his “Ar Razh-Mor” creation. Ouest-France reported on January 23, 2026, that he was representing the CFA of Ploufragan. He also won the Junior category on January 28, 2026, with the same dessert. Instagram