There is a bread festival in front of Notre Dame in May. A Parisienne bread festival. Why do we live in America? Why, oh why, is there no boulangerie down the street to grab a piping hot stick of deliciousness every morning to accompany coffee as black as my heart?
As if the fashions, the thinness, the art, the history, and the food were not enough? Now we celebrate the bread? It’s times like these that I should be Emily in Paris. At least I’d be able to discern the quality men from the boys, appreciate the language, and go to the damn bread festival.
Every May, the square in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral fills up with bakers, bread, and the smell of fresh dough.
This year’s edition runs from May 8 to May 17. The Fête du Pain, basically the party of bread, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. A 5,000 square foot pop-up bakery takes over the Parvis Notre-Dame, the open square in front of the cathedral.
“About a hundred Parisian bakers, apprentices, and retired professionals set up a working bakery and invite the public to watch every step of the process, from mixing the dough to pulling loaves from the oven. Entry is free, and so are the tastings,” according to the PR campaign.
There’s no need for a campaign. Run it during fashion week, and while all those who eschew bread and gluten (an American-only thing, BTW) are otherwise occupied, get the rest of us an Uber to the Notre Dame. We want to see how beautiful she looks after the fire, anyhow. Now, there’s bread? She’s our favorite tourist spot. Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I promise.
Did you say baguette, pain au chocolat, croissant, brioche, ficelle, pain de campagne and fougasse? Non! Instead, the last three days feature the bakers who hold the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France, an award given to the best in their fields, in this case, baking, who will create elaborate bread sculptures live. In addition, there is the competition for France’s best traditional baguette during the festival.
Can one weep with longing? And take a moment to recognize that a country actually rewards worker bees?
The Meilleurs Ouvriers de France – MOF – began when the government higher-ups realized there was a turning away from traditional labor. A national competition invited workers to compete to become the best in their field. The award has been institutionalized and is recognized as a third-level degree by the French Ministry of Labor. Medals are awarded at the Sorbonne, followed by a ceremony at the Élysée Palace in the presence of the President of the French Republic. What? A celebration of people doing what they love?
The MOF title is granted for life and those who hold it are considered caretakers, keepers of their craft. They must uphold standards of excellence, and pass their knowledge on. To this end there is a similar contest aimed at those younger than 21: Meilleur Apprentis de France competition (Best Apprentice of France). Where is the application for this? Yes, I’ll relocate. Pfft.
MOF currently has around 4,000 members, spread across France. Members often wear their blue, white and red collars and shops often sport an awning proudly declaring their MOF status.
Wouldn’t you?
