Florian Bellanger

Florian Bellanger [bɛlɑ̃ˈʒe] (born 20 April 1968)^{[1][unreliable source?]} is a French pastry chef, formerly the executive pastry chef at the famous Parisian pastry and candy shop, Fauchon. He is a permanent judge on the Food Network's competition series Cupcake Wars, appearing in over nine seasons and 135 episodes to date.

Early career

Bellanger grew up in Paris and spent much of his free afternoons baking for his family. However, a childhood chocolate allergy prevented him from enjoying sweets and desserts for six years, which temporarily discouraged his desire to bake.^[2] At age 15, Bellanger applied to one of Paris's prestigious pastry schools, the École de Paris des Métiers de la Table ("Paris school of table skills"), but was rejected for being a year too young. By 1986, he graduated from the school with a specialization in pastry cooking and a specialty in chocolate and ice cream;^[2] he now says chocolate is his favorite ingredient and admires its versatility, claiming it is "fun" and something "taken for granted."^[3]

Before starting his own company, Bellanger was the executive pastry chef at

Bellanger was pastry chef of the world-renowned (three Michelin stars) restaurant Le Bernardin from 1996 to 2001, where his desserts were described as "light and dreamy" by Ruth Reichl of The New York Times.^{[citation needed]}

Career

Bellanger is now the chef and owner of Mad Mac Macarons Mad Mac NYC "the Authentic French Macarons and Madeleines" an acclaimed French cookie and pastry company, which he helped fund in 2006. Mad Mac serves retail, food service, and hospitality industries and has been recognized as a leader in quality and innovation in the Macaron industry.^[5]

Bellanger is a member of City Harvest's Food Council and a guest chef at the

Bellanger was named one of the 10 Best Pastry Chefs in America in 2003 and 2004 by Pastry Art & Design magazine. In 2000 and 2001, the James Beard Foundation acclaimed Bellanger's accomplishments with a nomination for "Outstanding Pastry Chef."

He is also the Jury President of the

• James Beard Foundation "Outstanding Pastry Chef of the Year" Nomination 2000 and 2001^{[citation needed]}
• 10 Best Pastry Chefs of America 2003 and 2004 (Pastry Art and Design magazine)^{[citation needed]}
• Lifetime Achievement Award - 2013 US Pastry Competition^{[citation needed]}
• Hall of Fame Inductee - Dessert Professional Magazine 2013^{[citation needed]}
• Chevalier de l'Ordre du Merite Agricole (French Government)^{[citation needed]}

References

External links

• École de Paris de Métiers de la Table official website (in French)
• Florian Bellanger, MadMac Macarons
• [1]
• Cupcake Wars
• [:fr:Cupcake Wars]
• [2]
• Mad Mac NYC
• Cute Cakes, Tough Critic
• Pastry Art & Design: Florian Bellanger—Breaking the Mold
• 20 Unique Wedding Cake Shapes Contemporary Couples Should Consider