The world's best stuffed "pistol" is Belgian
This is not a story about guns, but buns, surrealistically known as "pistolets" (pistols). From 22 to 24 October, the planet's best kneaders met in Nantes to participate in the Bakery World Cup. This event sees the best bakers from across five continents compete with talent and agility to produce bread, pastries and artistic pieces. And guess what? It was a Belgian bakery that won a medal and the award for the best stuffed pistolet!
For their stuffed pistolet, Bart Schelstraete and Joran Defossez from the Sint-Anna bakery in Zottegem, opted for a bagel, a small ring-shaped bread roll with a firm texture, made from natural leavened dough, cooked briefly in water before being baked in the oven. However, its composition was anything but ordinary: "Since the competition was held in France, we garnished it with a blend of three French cheeses, to which we added a crumble made from “mattentaart” (a Zottegem speciality) and pieces of marinated turkey", explains the baker, Bart. "It was the combination of sweet and sour flavours that the judges really liked. They found it delicious and innovative".
The competition places great importance on the preparation of meticulous, balanced and diversified breads, as well as an attractive presentation. This is why our champions decorated their winning creation with purple and yellow flowers then cut a cherry-red tomato in the shape of a flower in reference to the Belgian tricolour flag.