How to improve your French through cake

There has been a Great British Bake Off shaped hole in my life since the show ended last month. I could no longer follow the dessert related triumphs and meltdowns from the comfort of my sofa until I discovered Le Meilleur Patissier.

This is the French version of Bake Off and is pretty much exactly the same but in French. Instead of Paul and Mary, they have Cyril and Mercotte. The contestants do the same type of challenges but the only real difference is that the cakes are mainly French. In a way, Le Meilleur Pattisier is more interesting to watch as I have not heard of at least half of the cakes.

Last week the contestants had a particularly difficult challenge to make their own Bavarois. This is a mousse made out of different layers of mousse and fruit with a sponge base. When the judges cut through the middle, the inside was stunning with the different colours of each layer.

After I watched this episode, I knew I had to try some. I found a salted caramel and apple Bavarois coated in chocolate mouse at a boulangerie in Lannion. They had named their version after the Brélévenez, some beautiful steps leading up to an old church in Lannion in Brittany.

Salted Caramel, apple and chocolate Bavarois

Not only was this Bavarois exquisite (salted caramel and apple is a perfect combination), I also had the warm glow of knowing that my French was improving by watching Le Meilleur Patissier and also from talking to people at the boulangerie. See, cake solves everything, even a language barrier!

I love climbing the steps at Brélévenez

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