French Fair Returns to Buenos Aires with Giant Saint-Honoré Cake for Bastille Day

The French Fair is returning to Plaza Francia in Buenos Aires for a special Bastille Day celebration on Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12. The free event, running from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., will showcase a curated selection of French and Francophone bakers, pastry chefs, chocolatiers, restaurateurs, and producers based in Argentina.

The main attraction will be the live creation of a two-meter-tall Saint-Honoré cake on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. This classic French pastry, named in honor of Saint Honoré, the patron saint of bakers and pastry chefs, combines puff pastry, choux pastry, Chiboust cream, and caramel. The demonstration will be led by Lucullus member chefs, including Bruno Gillot, Mathieu Benoit, Daro Castro, Flor Mollo, Jimena Fuster, Morgan Chauvel, and Marcos Speroni.

On Sunday at 1:30 p.m., a masterclass will focus on "fruit trompe-l'oeil," a contemporary high-pastry trend. Pastry chef Joaquín Pantuso, founder of Jakarta and a specialist in French pastry, will share techniques for creating hyperrealistic fruit-inspired pastries, similar to the style of French pastry chef Cédric Grolet.

Organized by Lucullus, the French Gastronomic Association in Argentina, with support from the Buenos Aires city government, the fair aims to celebrate French gastronomy and culture outdoors. Attendees can also expect traditional French dishes like onion soup, cassoulet, boeuf bourguignon, and raclette, alongside specialty coffees.