A true tradition dating back to the 14th century, Epiphany brings young and old together around the essential and delicious galettes des rois (King cakes). This Christian feast, which celebrates the arrival of the incarnate Messiah in the world and the visit paid to him by the Magi, falls this year on Monday, January 6, 2020.
However, as the biblical date is not a public holiday, it is customary to celebrate it on the first Sunday after January 1st; this year, that falls on this weekend, Sunday, January 5.
At the start of 2020, I’m sharing my little selection of galettes for this first celebration of the year, and I also wish you the joy of ending this convivial moment with a crown on your head if possible…
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Table of Contents
My little selection of galettes des rois
Of course, this selection is obviously not exhaustive and only covers the few cakes I have had the opportunity to taste.
The cakes from Maison Dalloyau
For Epiphany 2020, the pastry chef at Maison Dalloyau, Jérémy Del Val, Champion of France for Dessert, has created a pistachio-based King cake this year that is a little piece of heaven! This galette, titled “Oh Sommet” (Oh Summit), is filled with a cream made from green pistachios from Iran and Bronte pistachios, scented with Buddha’s hand citrus from Agrumes Bachès and 43% pure Madagascar milk chocolate chips. Plus, it is baked upside down, which gives it an ultra-indulgent caramelized puff pastry!
Price of the Oh Sommet galette: €45 for 6/7 people
More traditionally, the house also offers a brioche revisited as a “Crown of Kings” (€22 for 8 people), as well as the classic frangipane galette for almond lovers.
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The galette from Maison Sève
I am a huge fan of the red praline King cake from the iconic Lyon-based master chocolatier and pastry chef, Richard Sève. I think it’s hard to find it anywhere other than Lyon, but it is my personal favorite!
Sève, Master Chocolatier and Pastry Chef / Lyon
Price: from €18 to €39.90 depending on size
available in store from January 2 to 31, 2020_
The Grand Véfour King cake by Guy Martin
For the start of the year, this Parisian institution offers us a King cake with a smooth salted caramel frangipane and cashew nut cream—a delight!
Le Grand Véfour
17 Rue de Beaujolais, 75001 Paris
Price: €45 for a cake for 6 people (by order only)
The Toupargel cake
Toupargel offers a frozen, ready-to-bake frangipane King cake with 28% pure butter puff pastry, free-range eggs, no preservatives, and made in Brittany. Naturally, the cake comes with a fève and a crown.
Price: €5.95 for the 400g Toupargel frozen galette / 6 servings
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The cake from La Maison du Chocolat
La Maison du Chocolat offers the Ganache des Rois by Nicolas Cloiseau, featuring extra-fine pure butter homemade puff pastry, a whipped dark chocolate ganache (66% from the Caribbean), chopped caramelized almonds, and a topping of roasted almonds and cocoa nibs.
Price: €48 for the Ganache des Rois cake for 6/8 people
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The King’s Meat Pie (Pâté-tourte) from the restaurant l’Escudella
For a change from the traditional sweet galette, the restaurant l’Escudella in Paris offers, to take away and by order, a meat pie for the kings with truffles, duck, and foie gras, complete with a beautiful medieval-style fève!
The establishment, run by chefs Jérôme Laurent and Paul-Arthur Berlan, invites us to dive into medieval tradition—the era in which the pâté-croute (meat pie) appeared, which was one of the main meat dishes served to the lord. The pastry crust acted as a preservative in the absence of a refrigerator.
In the Middle Ages, the King cake held a festive place at banquets organized by lords. During these charitable events, the custom was to offer the poorest child in the assembly the position of “little king” so they could discover the pleasure of being served for two days, while receiving a bonus from the lord.
Restaurant l'Escudella
41 avenue de Ségur 75007 Paris
Price: €42 for the whole pie (by order only), 600g for 4/6 people
Pie available until January 15, 2020_
If you have any great addresses, a preference, or tips for finding the best King cake, don’t hesitate to leave a little comment to share your top tip! And happy Epiphany to everyone!
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez
