Who is Benoit Blin, Bake Off: The Professionals 2022 judge?
WHEN it comes to making a top-notch pudding, there are few better than French pastry chef Benoit Blin.
He is back on the box on Channel 4's Bake Off: The Professionals as one of the judges.
Who is Benoit Blin?
Benoit grew up in Normandy, France, in a small town with a bakery at each end of his street.
This humble apprenticeship, at one of these bakeries, led to Benoit landing the role of Senior Pastry Sous Chef at the Ritz Paris in 1991.
In between these two roles, Benoit did a second apprenticeship as a Patissier, worked a year's National Service as a naval chef and worked at the Normandy Hotel, in Deauville.
Benoit has been a judge on Bake Off: The Professionals since the first series of the show which was launched on BBC2 and previously called Bake Off: Crème de la Crème.
Where has Benoit Blin worked?
At the Ritz, he worked among some of the best chefs in France for four years, before Raymond Blanc persuaded him to come to the UK.
Benoit has now worked at Raymond's two Michelin-starred Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, in Oxfordshire, for more than 20 years.
He is the Chef Patissier at the famous restaurant, the highest role in a dessert kitchen.
Benoit leads a team of 13 pastry chefs creating fresh bread, pastries, chocolate, ice creams and plated desserts on a daily basis.
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What competitions has Benoit Blin won?
Benoit is no stranger to the world of pastry competitions.
He was team president for the UK team in the 2011 Pastry World Cup and is currently the Chairmain of the UK Pastry Club.
He says he would love to see Britain win the Pastry World Cup one day.
In 2005, talented Benoit was given the title of MCA, the Master of Culinary Arts. It's the highest accolade in the industry, and is only awarded once every four years.
Benoit, who holds a French Masters degree in pastry, was also labelled Pastry Chef of the Year in 2009.
He is also a long-standing member of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts.
Is Benoit Blin married and does he have kids?
Blin does not speak much about his home life, but it seems the chef has children.
Benoit told The Staff Canteen: "When I get some spare time I try to really look after my family. I try to spend as much time as possible with my family because the art of cooking takes up a lot of your time.
"I enjoy watching rugby. I do not play because, unfortunately, I can’t take the risk of not being able to turn up to work one day but I really enjoy watching it. My son was playing for a few years when he was here before moving to university."
When is Bake Off: The Professionals 2022 on TV and how can I watch it?
Bake Off: The Professionals 2022 will return TODAY (May 24, 2022) at 8pm on Channel 4.
In each episode the new teams must summon up all their patisserie prowess to wow the judges and stay in the competition.
Twelve teams of pastry chefs from restaurants, hotels, and small businesses in a bid to take home the trophy.
The show will continue every Tuesday at 8pm, and past episodes can be watched on ALL 4.