Japan wins World Pastry Cup

What the hell is that in the picture? Chewbacca?

Put me off my breakfast.

Excellent !!..

Well done Japan..

GO JAPAN !!..

The French team's efforts were not quite enough to capture top spot

A chocolate orangutang just didn't cut it this time.

WTF is this?

Congratulations to the winners here! I recall watching a TV program a number of years ago, that went into great deal the hard work these chefs put in to their work. It was quite an education.

Had no idea this was even an event.

You won't more delicious desserts, pastries or sweets in the world than in Japan -- that's a given.

Congratulations!

You can pretty. much make anything out of chocolate. The limits are only in your imaginations.

Japan does make some good cakes, obviously not as exceedingly good as mine.

@Fighto errrr no you are wrong again there!!

I am not surprised. After eating in Tokyo for 2 years my wife and I were surprised to find the baguettes and croissants we ate in Paris, Lyon and Nice last year were not even close to Tokyo’s in either taste or quality. And they are cheaper here too! A deserved win.

That Chewy rendition gives me the crepes.

Im happy for Japan. Seeing them win something gives them some level of hope for the future. Great win! Next win will be baking bread with high quality taste more than any other country! Go Japan! You won... this. ... Thing....

The French sulking cos the judges didn't give them first for a chocolate

ORANGUTANG head ... Congratulations Japan.

The World Pastry Cup is biannually held while its venue is fixed in Lyon. Would it be possible for Japan to host it in the future?

Though originally from the West, I think that pastry is also an integral part of Japanese food culture. Some ingredients of traditional wagashi such as red bean paste are applied to create hybrid taste and style.

Great!

Is that picture of a man or a monster? It looks evil. I shan't be able to sleep tonight. Or tomorrow night. Please delete it Japan Today. Now!

Monkey chocolate? I almost vomitted. That’s not even cute.

Well done !

It is a biennal event called SIRHA, standing for Salon International de la Restauration, de l'Hôtellerie et de l'Alimentation (French: International Hotel Catering and Food Trade Exhibition; Lyon).

Japan surpasses France in the total number of medals by the way (not gold ones, yet).

Pierre Herme is very well compensated by Japanese businesses.

Well deserved! Congratulations Japan! (I'm in Australia now... REALLY missing Japanese bakeries.)

Congratulations!

But where is the photo of their creation instead of the French monstrosity?

Thats a sweet monkey!

@ velvet…Pierre Herme is very well compensated by Japanese businesses.

Exactly! *

A rigged competition from the beginning! It’s all about getting good business deals and money making with under the table dealings!

Also every human has a different taste preference so to have these types of competition to determine the best pastry is meaningless! Best of something shouldn’t be used as loosely as these types of competitions use since it’s best for only the judges and a small group of people. The French have different taste preferences to the Italian or Japanese. The Japanese have different taste preferences to the Chinese or Indians who make up more than half the world! If we are talking about majority of people then they will definitely have a bigger say for the so called “ Best “ food or pastry! Americans…well they are always just easily impressed by Japanese food even if it taste horrible so no comparison there! The Japanese mostly despise American and British dishes! So many countries with so many people that claiming a particular food or snack is the best is just unrealistic! For me I do really like many pastries in Japan more than the 37 countries that I’ve been to but I can’t say it’s the best outright since others don’t think so! Depends on which shop you buy from and when you buy it!