Christophe Michalak
French pastry chef, cookbook author and TV presenter sharing his love of cakes, chocolate and everyday cooking, now in a new chapter after leaving Michalak Paris.
At 100 nudges, fangea sends Christophe’s team an official invite.
🔒 Star boosts open once Christophe claims this page.
Latest
Christophe’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
Éditions de La Martinière
Alain Ducasse Édition
Elle & Vire recipeOverview
- From
- Picardy, France
- Work
- Pastry chef, cookbook author and television presenter
- Breakout
- World Pastry Cup winner with France in 2005
- Palace years
- Head pastry chef at the Plaza Athénée from 2000 to 2016
- Own venture
- Founded Michalak Masterclass in 2013; left Michalak Paris in April 2026
Mini bio
How it started.
Growing up in Picardy, Christophe wanted to be an illustrator. In his Elle & Vire interview, he recalls entering working life at 15 and discovering how much pleasure a pastry could give someone. He began building a culinary library at 16.
The breakthrough.
He became head pastry chef at the Plaza Athénée in 2000 and won the World Pastry Cup with the French team in 2005. Television and books gave fans more ways to follow his work: Le Gâteau de mes rêves arrived in 2012, followed by judging and presenting roles on France 2 in 2013.
Making pastry approachable.
In 2013 he opened Michalak Masterclass to share the craft. His Fantastik became a signature, and the 2014 Michalak Masterbook invited home bakers into his playful world of recipes and comic-book imagery.
A more personal kitchen.
His 2024 book Bienvenue à la maison opens the door to everyday cooking in Provence, with sweet and savoury recipes photographed by Delphine. After selling his remaining company shares, he left Michalak Paris on 17 April 2026. He now describes a life with more time for recipes, family, his vegetable garden and mountain-bike trips.
Creditschronological, newest first
Books
- 2024Bienvenue à la maisonAuthor; photographs by Delphine Michalak
- 2014Michalak MasterbookAuthor
- 2007C’est du gâteauAuthor, first book
Television
- 2025Le Meilleur Pâtissier, season 14 finaleGuest judge
- 2013Dans la peau d’un chefCo-producer and chef presenter
- 2013Qui sera le prochain grand pâtissier ?Jury member
- 2012Le Gâteau de mes rêvesPresenter and co-author
Awards
Quotes
E comme élégant, E comme équilibre et E comme émotion !Christophe Michalak, Elle & Vire interview
Asked about his pastry philosophy, he described three guiding ideas: elegance, balance and emotion.
Trivia
- He wanted to become an illustrator before entering the food trade.
- He started collecting culinary books at 16.
- His favourite ingredients to work with include chocolate, caramel and praline.
- Delphine photographed the recipes for Bienvenue à la maison.
Find Christophe
Follow his personal Instagram for recipes and life beyond the pastry shop.
Are you Christophe Michalak?
Fans built this page. Claim it to connect with them and unlock Star boosts, or request a takedown if you’d rather it not exist.