La Liste Reveals The Pastry Special Awards 2024

The La Liste pastry awards celebrate the diversity of talents, the creativity and audacity, education, and the commitment to values such as seasonality and biodiversity.

The awards are split across 10 categories, with some being awarded to just one winner whilst others feature a selection of names being celebrated. The categories and winners for 2024 are:

World's Most Creative Pastry Chef Award - for a pastry chef demonstrating extraordinary creativity, whose technical skill pushes the craft of pastry into an art form.

This award went to Parisian luxury cake designer, Bastien Blanc-Tailleur who is renowned for his exquisite wedding and special-occasion cakes, looking after a range of high-profile clients.

https://www.bastien-blanc-tailleur.com/

World's Best Pastry Shop Award - for a breakthrough concept from a pastry shop or group in terms of products, design, and customer experience

The Ritz, Paris, scooped up this award at its popular Le Comptoir experience and famous pastry chef François Perret. Chef Perret is known for his gastronomic range, from classic croissants and pains au chocolat to sophisticated sandwiches.

World's Best Afternoon Tea Award - for an exemplary afternoon tea experience, whether traditional or contemporary concept, with outstanding service and location

The Best Afternoon Tea award this year went to The Royal Tea Room at the Atlantis in Dubai. Led by French pastry chef Christophe Devoille, Based in an opulent space full of light-reflecting glass, crystal, and metals, Devoille's afternoon tea exemplifies his refined technique and elegant eye.

Pastry Game Changer Award - for an exceptional pastry chef who has campaigned to change pastry industry culture through commitment, engagement, and education

One of the most iconic names in the business, Dominique Ansel took home this award. The inventor of the Cronut has laid the foundations for a new era for the world of pastry.

Pastry Innovation Award - for pastry chefs demonstrating new and creative business ideas

Two pastry chefs were awarded this accolade - Antonio Bachour, who heads up four restaurants across both Miami and Merida, Mexico, as well as having already written eight successful cookbooks; and Singaporean Chef Janice Wong. Having opened her first location in 2007, 2am:dessertbar, Wong has been pushing the limits of creativity ever since.

Pastry Opening of the Year Award - impressive newcomers to the pastry scene that deserve recognition

Mietta by Rosemary in Melbourne, Lannan Bakery in Edinburgh, Christophe Louie in Paris, Nèulo in Paris, and Bonbon Café in Dubai were all awarded in this category. Lannan Bakery, helmed by self-taught baker Darcie Maher is the only UK venue to be celebrated in this year's awards.

Pastry Talent of the Year Award - most promising pastry chefs of the year (across bakeries, tea rooms, and dessert restaurants)

Five Pastry Chefs were awarded in the Talent of the Year category - Justin Lee of JL Dessert Bar in Seoul; Margarita Manzke of Republiqué Cafe in LA; Joanna Yuen of Hong Kong's online dessert shop Otera; Noelia Tomoshige of Pasteleria Monroebakes in Madrid; and Paris pastry prodigy Aurélien Cohen of Aurélien Cohen Pâtisserie.

Pastry Ethical & Sustainability Award - a pastry shop demonstrating exemplary dedication to ethical practices, sustainability and social responsibility within the workplace, industry and wider community

This award went to the impressive Des Gâteaux et du Pain in Paris, led by pioneering pastry chef Claire Damon. Damon's flagship bakery and lab, with its elegant black facade and interior, sells haute pâtisserie to both discerning locals and pastry tourists. She uses only ethical ingredients from small producers, such as organic eggs, Provençal almonds, organic French flour, freshly-churned butter, and Noirmoutier salt.

Pastry Artisan & Authenticity Award - pastry shops promoting the culinary heritage of a region or country through technique, creativity, and sourcing

Bergamo Alta's historic café-pâtisserie Shop Caffe Cavour 1880 took this award alongside Lyon pastry shop Bernachon, from Philippe Bernachon which offers a range of classic French desserts.

Pastry Discovery Gem Award - Off-map uprising pastry gem little-known or hard-to-find bakeries, afternoon teas, or dessert restaurants worth going the extra mile for

Six venues took this award - Lals Pâtisserie in Pakistan; Montreal pâtisserie Farine & Cacao; Lima's Alanya Reposteria; Chez Dodo in Budapest; Brigat in Paris; as well as L'Ogre de Carrouselberg in Lille.

Find out more about all the awards and winners here.