Le Grand Prix Elmendorf du Pain
Elmendorf Baking Supplies and the East Cambridge Business Association are excited to announce our 4th annual bread competition and Paris-inspired street festival “Le Grand Prix Elmendorf du Pain.” The festival and competition is inspired by a Paris baguette competition where professional bakers compete to have their baguettes be crowned the best in Paris. The winner gets bragging rights and becomes the official supplier of the French presidential residence for the year.
Our competition will be split into two categories: amateur and professional. Professionals will submit sourdough boules while this year’s amateur category will feature seeded sandwich loaf.
The festival will include an eclectic selection of French-inspired food vendors as well as a selection of local artists and vendors. There will be live music and a generally festive atmosphere.
The Details
Where: Cambridge Street between Fulkerson & 5th, East Cambridge
When: Sunday June 14, 2026, 12-4pm.
There is no rain date for this event. It will happen rain or shine!
What: Bread competition with French-inspired street fair
Cost: Free and open to the public! Purchases made at individual vendors and local businesses.
Current food vendors include: Formaggio Kitchen, Breadboard Bakery, Clear Flour, La Saison Bakery, Mommas Grocery, Wild Pops, Waffle Cabin, Michette Bakery, Batifol, Lakon Paris, Highland Butcher Shop, Crepe du Jour, Colette Bakery, Ben’s Racelette, Cafe Sauvage, and more. Also a bevy of local artists and vendors, wine by the glass and live music!
See below for more details on the bread competition, and pre-order food options!
Purchase a Parisian Picnic Basket
In collaboration with our friends Formaggio Kitchen and Iggy's Bread, we are offering a Parisian Picnic Box of 3 cheeses, fruit, and a mini baguette. Enjoy this snack while you peruse the makret vendors and sip on wine. This is a pre-ordered item only (none will be available for sale day-of) and we have a limited quani
The Competition at Le Grand Prix Elmendorf du Pain
CALLING ALL BAKERS!
Bread really is a way of life in France, and the traditional baguette is a revered part of this tradition. In fact every year more than a hundred Parisian bakeries drop off their baguettes for blind tasting in a massive competition called the Grand Prix de la Baguette. The French contest, which began in 1997, was the brainchild of then French President Jacques Chirac who wanted to combat what he saw as a degradation of French bread culture. The winner becomes the official bread supplier of the French presidential residence.
We're taking things a bit lighter in our competition (but still pretty seriously!). For one thing there aren't hundreds of bakeries cranking out baguettes in the Boston area! At least not yet. We can dream right?
Our competition is broken into two categories: amateur and professional. This year professionals will submit sourdough boules and amateurs will feature seeded sandwich loaf.
Contestants will submit their breads on the morning of the competition and they will be judged blind by a panel of experts and local luminaries. The winners of the competition will be announced live at the festival.
For professionals, there is no cost to enter. The winner of the professional category will become the official bread supplier of the Boston Consulate General of France (this is still being confirmed for 2026)!
For amateurs, you must reserve your spot on Eventbrite for $35 (this fee covers some of the festival costs and prizes). All amateur contestants will receive swag for entering. Submission guidelines can be seen on the Eventbrite page. In addition to bragging rights, we've got some great prizes for the amateur competition.
East Cambridge Business Association
544 Cambridge St Cambridge MA 02141
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