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POV Community Engagement & Education Discussion GuiDe Kings of Pastry A Film by Chris Hegedus and D A Pennebaker www.pbs.org/pov PoV BLeatctkegrr foruonmd tinhefo friLmmamtaiokners new YorK , 2011 People often ask why we would make a film about a French pastry competition but as soon as we met chef Jacquy Pfeif - fer it became clear that the Meilleurs ouvriers de France (MoF) competition was not going to be your average Top Chef cook off. These reality TV shows seemed like mere wind sprints compared to the marathon three-day MoF contest which he was preparing to enter. But winning is not all that this epic contest represents. Becoming a MoF (Best crafts - man in France) is a lifelong dream for French artisans that can only come true by seeking excellence. As Jacquy would say, “The MoF is not about doing the ‘best that you can do’ but the 'best that can be done'." This degree of perfection in the pastry profession, like most olympic contests, is achieved through passion, sacrifice, and extraordinary skill -- and as we found out, for Jacquy and the other fifteen finalists, a lot of luck. Filmmakers chris Hegedus (l.) and D A Pennebaker our filmmaking has allowed us to witness many different Photo courtesy of Kit Pennebaker worlds through the eyes of interesting and talented people, many of whom have become friends. chef Jacquy Pfeiffer is among them. what we found in the arcane creation of French pastry was a process based on ancient kitchen physics. once you have learned the laws that apply, perfection lies in the job of properly carrying them out. Most Americans hardly recog - nize the names of classic French pastries — macarons, dacquoise, brioche — some of the exquisite treats that Jacquy per - fects daily. But what we did not expect was that Jacquy was more than a baker. He was an artist creating towering sugar sculptures, Brancusi style blown sugar figures, and large intricate Faberge eggs. everyday we watched Jacquy push himself toward excellence and show students at his chicago based French Pastry school what the MoF is all about. Fifteen extraordinary finalists competed with Jacquy in Lyon each pursuing their dream to wear the tri-color collar of a MoF and to enter the pastry elite. Many other renowned chefs lent their expertise as judges, tasters and helpers. watching the ca - maraderie between the chefs was inspirational and at times of crisis especially moving to witness. we are extremely grate - ful to the MoF organization for letting us be the first to film this fascinating world. Chris Hegedus and D A Pennebaker Filmmakers, Kings of Pastry DISCUSSION GUIDe Kings of Pastry |2 PoV tBaBcLkeg orof ucnodn tinefnotrs mation credits 3 Introduction Writer 4 Potential Partners Faith Rogow, PhD 4 Key Issues Insighters Educational Consulting 5 Using This Guide Background Writers and editors 5 Background Information Flora Lazar 5 Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (MOF) Kristine Wilton 6 The Art and Science of French Pastry 7 Sugar Sculpture guide Producers, PoV 7 The French Pastry School eliza Licht 7 Career Education Director, Community Engagement & Education, POV 9 Selected People Featured Jamie Dobie in Kings of Pastry Coordinator, 10 General Discussion Questions Community Engagement & Education, POV 10 Discussion Prompts Design: Rafael Jiménez 11 Taking Action Copy editor: Natalie Danford 12 Resources 14 How to Buy the Film thanks to those who reviewed this guide: Chris Hegedus and D A Pennebaker Directors, Kings of Pastry Flora Lazar Producer, Kings of Pastry introduction kings of Pastry (84 mins.) is a unique documentary that ond time (he dropped his sugar sculpture the first time), and captures the high stakes drama of the prestigious Meilleurs chef Philippe rigollot from Maison Pic, France’s only three- ouvriers de France (Best craftsmen in France) pastry com - star restaurant owned by a woman. The portrait of these petition. captured on film here for the first time, this three- men is as much of a treat as their delectable creations. we day contest defines excellence. The 16 finalists exemplify see them as fathers, husbands and professionals who display passion, dedication, sacrifice, skill and artistry, sculpting remarkable humility and respect for their fellow competitors. everything from delicate chocolates to six-foot sugar sculp - For them, the quest to become great clearly extends beyond tures in hopes of winning one of the coveted blue, white and the kitchen to permeate every aspect of their lives. kings of red striped collars worn by France’s very best pastry chefs. Pastry is a valuable outreach tool for anyone hoping to in - spire people to do their best — in the kitchen, at work, in The film follows chef Jacquy Pfeiffer, co-founder of school or in life. chicago’s French Pastry school, and profiles two other fi - nalists — chef régis Lazard, who is competing for the sec - DISCUSSION GUIDe Kings of Pastry |3 PoV PBoactekngtrioauL nPda rintfnoerms ation key issues kings of Pastry is well suited for use in a variety of set - kings of Pastry is an excellent tool for outreach and will tings and is especially recommended for use with: be of special interest to people interested in the following topics: • your local PBs station • groups that have discussed previous PBs and PoV • achieving excellence films related to competition and perseverance, • art such as Kokoyakyu: High School Baseball and • coaching Racing Dreams • chefs • groups focused on any of the issues listed in the • competition and cooperation key issues section • cooking • trade school and high school students, especially those enrolled in culinary education programs • culinary arts • middle school students involved in excellence • education initiatives • france • teachers and coaches focused on resilience • Pastry • faith-based organizations and institutions • Perseverance • cultural, art and historical organizations, • resilience institutions and museums • setting standards for excellence • community-based cooking classes • trades, training and apprenticeship • civic, fraternal and community groups • academic departments and student groups at colleges, universities and high schools • community organizations with a mission to promote education and learning, such as your local library using this guide This guide is an invitation to dialogue. it is based on a belief in the power of human connection, designed for people who want to use kings of Pastry to engage family, friends, classmates, colleagues and communities. in contrast to initiatives that foster debates in which participants try to convince others that they are right, this document envisions conversa - tions undertaken in a spirit of openness in which people try to understand one another and expand their thinking by shar - ing viewpoints and listening actively. The discussion prompts are intentionally crafted to help a very wide range of audiences think more deeply about the is - sues in the film. rather than attempting to address them all, choose one or two that best meet your needs and interests. And be sure to leave time to consider taking action. Planning next steps can help people leave the room feeling energized and optimistic, even in instances when conversations have been difficult. For more detailed event planning and facilitation tips, visit www.pov.org/outreach DISCUSSION GUIDe Kings of Pastry |4 PoV Background information meilleurs ouvriers de france (mof) Taste components: The Meilleurs ouvriers de France was created nearly a cen - • five types of miniature pâte à choux items (cream tury ago to help preserve the quality of French artisan trades puffs, 12 pieces of each); and to affirm the importance of manual work in a society • one three-tiered wedding cake to serve 30 people; that has historically prized intellectuals. Participation in the • three types of chocolate candies (20 each); competition is recognized throughout France as the official • one “restaurant style” (plated) dessert (four portions); mark of the country’s most accomplished artisans. • one brioche for two to be served with 1,500 grams of The first president of the MoF association, Georges caste - jam made with a summer fruit and associated with a lain, outlined the group’s ethics and purpose in the following flower; speech: • three types of miniature afternoon tea creations (12 each); Our organization should be an extended family where we are • one surprise item made from a specific basket of brothers and sisters from the same father — work — and the ingredients that would be unveiled to the candidates same mother — France. Just as real brothers and sisters would, on the first day of the competition. we should help and protect one another always. Once a MOF, Artistic components: the story does not end here. The MOF must continue in their search for perfection to show that they are worthy of their title, • one chocolate sculpture that would be used to display to avoid getting stuck in a rut and to learn new techniques. the chocolate candies; Sometimes a MOF becomes a teacher, transmitting his trade • one sugar showpiece that would serve as a and his savoir-faire to those who, one day perhaps, will follow centerpiece for the buffet; his….. lead. They can train young talent, helping those they • one small masterpiece, called a bijou, or jewel, that think capable of going a long way, search for possible candi - would be presented in a display case. dates for future competitions, encouraging and advising them. everything except for the bijou and the base for the sugar Such is a MOF’s role in society. sculpture had to be created from scratch, in front of the Today, the competition is held for people in more than 100 judges, in just 24 hours, spread out over only three days. different creative trade professions in France, from florist to The pastry competition is regarded as one of the most rig - carpenter to butcher to jeweler to pastry chef.

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