French pastry chef Nina Metayer has been announced as the 2023 World Pastry Chef, in a milestone that also saw it the first time a woman had taken out the 92-year-old award.

She was awarded the title by the UBIC during the iba trade fair hosted in Munich in October 2023.

“On this day of honour, I would like to thank the artisans who accompany me on a daily basis, the enthusiasts who work with me and for whom it is much more than a profession,” she wrote on Instagram.

“This award touches me all the more because my career began in baking. I am delighted to represent France and to contribute to promoting the quality of the work of artisan bakers and pastry chefs around the world,” she went on to say in her acceptance speech.

According to Euronews the 35-year-old, honed her skills at the esteemed Ferrandi School in Paris, where she graduated top of her class before she joined the team at the prestigious Le Meurice in Paris.

In 2015, French chef Jean-François Piège, who was aiming for two Michelin stars for his new venture, the Grand Restaurant, handpicked her as the head pastry chef, which was achieved just one year later.

However, these days her work is a little less traditional and Other aspects of Metayer’s success are less traditional. Nina earned the title without being part of a restaurant or even shop.  Rather, Metayer heads up a team of 30 and runs a delivery service out of an industrial space in a business district located just outside Paris.

Image: Nina Metayer following her win. Credit: @ninametayer