Origin: a tribute to the patron saint of bakers
The Saint-Honoré was created in Paris in the mid-19th century, in the Chiboust pastry shop located on Rue Saint-Honoré. It pays tribute to Saint Honoré, bishop of Amiens and patron saint of bakers. This sophisticated dessert combines several techniques emblematic of French pastry-making: a base of puff or shortcrust pastry, a crown of caramelized choux pastries, and Chiboust cream—a light mixture of pastry cream and Italian meringue. Since its creation, it has embodied the excellence and expertise of French pastry chefs.
The St-Honoré, a classic revisited internationally
Today, the Saint-Honoré has gone far beyond the boundaries of tradition. From Tokyo to New York, pastry chefs are reinventing this sweet monument with boldness and creativity. Some swap Chiboust cream for whipped cream infused with subtle flavors, while others explore textures by incorporating crunchy elements, fruity inserts, or contemporary ganaches. Ludovic Richard, Meilleur Ouvrier de France baker, offers a refined St-Honoré featuring Breton shortbread with orange zest, melt-in-the-mouth salted butter caramel, and a light Cointreau cream.
The Saint-Honoré has become a veritable canvas for expression, where innovation dialogues with expertise. Despite its many variations, it retains its soul: that of a generous, festive, and resolutely technical dessert.
Laurent Luo’s latest creation: Saint-Honoré with Îles du Vent rum
Laurent Luo is a pastry chef who runs two establishments in China, where he shares his childhood passion for the art of baking. Renowned for his daring creations, he skillfully combines traditional French pastry-making with inspiration from other cultures. As a RÉMY COINTREAU GASTRONOMIE ambassador, he embodies a contemporary vision of artisanal excellence.
His reinterpretation of the Saint-Honoré in three flavors perfectly illustrates his style. The choux pastries are filled with a hazelnut cream subtly flavored with Iles du Vent rum and a delicate coffee cream, all topped with a generous coconut cream. A creation that invites you on a journey between refinement and indulgence.
