The Lake Hotel’s esteemed Head Pastry Chef, Coralie Pichard, has been chosen to join the expert judging panel for the first-ever Irish Pâtisserie Championship, taking place on May 27th at TU Dublin’s Grangegorman campus as part of the DNA “Pastry Unwrapped” Conference.
The competition, created by Co-Lab, the pâtisserie training academy of Odaios Foods, and sponsored by Valrhona Chocolate, is set to spotlight Ireland’s rising pastry talent. Six elite finalists will go head-to-head in a live culinary showdown, presenting three intricate creations: a plant-based café gourmandise dessert, a restaurant-style plated dessert, and an elaborate chocolate showpiece.
Coralie Pichard has been Head Pastry Chef at The Lake Hotel for over 3 years and brings over 15 years of culinary experience to the judging panel. A native of Angers, France, Coralie trained as a chef in Lyon before specialising as a pastry chef here in Ireland. Her perfectionism was shaped early in her career whilst cheffing at Michelin star La Trilla Florentine Restaurant in Lyon. Coralie’s experience has been filled with a whole host of prestigious establishments both nationally and internationally, including Head Pastry Chef in the 5* Europe Hotel & Resort.
Coralie is ambitious and hardworking, with a natural flair for creativity. She gained confidence in both her craft and high-volume production while working in a catering company in Malta, making up to 4,000 homemade desserts at a time.
With a passion for ingredients, Coralie is an avid gardener and strives to use local produce in her creations, including the use of herbs from The Lake Hotel garden. Coralie has truly elevated the dessert experience and has reinvented the whole pastry section at The Lake Hotel, ensuring that everything, from breakfast pastries and petit fours, right through to evening dining, is homemade.
Coralie combines her passion for patisserie, intricate skills, years of experience and exciting flavour combinations to create truly memorable dining experiences.
Speaking on behalf of The Lake Hotel, Executive Chef Daniel Glavin commented, “We are incredibly proud of Coralie’s selection to judge such a prestigious national event. Her dedication to the craft of patisserie and her ability to combine tradition with innovation make her a true leader in the field. This recognition is a testament to her exceptional talent and the high standards she brings to our kitchen every day.”
The Irish Pâtisserie Championship not only celebrates the best of pastry in Ireland but also seeks to raise the global profile of Irish chefs on the international stage. As a judge, Coralie will help spotlight this new wave of pastry excellence and inspire the next generation of culinary stars.
