Preparations for the Viennoiserie World Cup are full steam ahead.

The competition will be held at the Salon du Chocolat de Vannes in Brittany from November 8-11. Melbourne-based pastry chef Pierrick Boyer will be joining the competition as both a judge and coach for Australian competitor Paula Nikita, and said preparations were going well.

“I wanted to do it [the competition] but with the right person,” he said.

“I wanted the person to work with us at Reverie Prahran… we see each other every day.”

Pierrick said he was initially asked to join the Viennoiserie World Cup at the end of last year as both a judge and to coach the Australian candidate.

“I guess I had some credibility from my career and what I’ve done,” he said, adding there are 14 countries competing including Switzerland, Morocco, Belgium, USA, Canada, France, Venezuela, Italy, Taiwan, Algeria, Uruguay, South Korea and the UK.

“I met one of the organisers in March in Paris to discuss more in detail.”

Competitors will be required to make hand-rolled croissants, laminated pain au chocolat, bi-colour croissant, brioche a tete, crown brioche sciselled, a showpiece, a savoury pastry, and a specialty representing the country.

Pierrick said part of the reason Paula was chosen to represent Australia because although she is early in her career her work already spoke volumes.

“Since she’s started patisserie and worked doing pastries she has shown consistency in her work. She is curious and has a good overall mindset and mentality,” he said.

“A competition to this level can be overwhelming but from the start we discussed that our main goal was to learn and have fun. This can be a great stepping stone for her.”

A fundraiser will be held at Reverie Cafe on October 18 from 6pm to 9.30pm to help cover food and travel costs, and a GoFundMe page has also been set up.

Pierrick said they had decided to make the event around both their backgrounds with some added Melbourne flair thrown in .

“She will do some Indonesian dishes and there will be come French staples. It will be fun and in a relaxed environment,” he said.

“A special mention has to go UNOX Australia, Wayne and the team and all our supporters, family and friends.”