Saf Challenge, secrets of the jury…

The Baking Center™ in Abidjan was the setting for a great baking competition, Saf Challenge, from 25th to 27th January 2020. A major first in Africa, the competition organized by Lesaffre saw ten finalists give it their best in a professional and fraternal atmosphere. An atmosphere highlighted by the three members of the jury, won over by the daring, creativity and professionalism of the candidates. An opportunity to come back to Saf Challenge and put the jury in the spotlight…

The jury consisted of three professionals from various complementary sectors within the Lesaffre group: baking for Philippe Desbuquois, sales for Damien Lesaffre and marketing for Laurent Groux. While they may have different sensitivities and expectations, they all agree that one thing in particular unites them: the art of baking! A real passion for quality breads, the artisans that make them, the expertise, the traditions, the raw materials… A passion that also resides in the ten finalists, from all over Africa, who impressed the members of the jury with their capacity for initiating, innovating and excelling. Values shared by the Lesaffre group and embodied in this great competition across the continent, Saf Challenge. Some finalists’ journeys even turned out to be touching from an emotional perspective, combining personal and professional paths, failures and successes.

Behind the scenes, the jury was full of praise for the ten finalists and their bread-making expertise: described as “truly beautiful creations”, “an excellent level” and “ambitious testimonials”, it was the bakes themselves that were the real guests of honor at the Abidjan Baking Center™, freshly inaugurated and brand new! Philippe Desbuquois, head of the Baking Centers™ in Africa, spoke of his great pride at being able to welcome fellow bakers to such a center of expertise, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. Still with the same watchwords: undertake, innovate and excel!