Paris crowns new king of crusty baguette in annual bread-baking prize.

Xavier Netry's long loaf beat 172 others.

Competing baguettes were evaluated for taste, look, texture, airiness and the quality of the baking.

The jury included a deputy mayor, industry representatives, journalists and six Parisians that City Hall said were drawn at random.

The Utopie bakery in Paris' 11th district that Netry works for wins 4,000 euros ($6,500) and becomes one of the suppliers of the presidential Elysee Palace for a year.

City Hall said uneaten baguettes from the competition were donated to a charity that feeds people who are homeless.

Netry, a baker for 25 years, said the secrets of his success were a good sourdough starter and "a good, long fermentation," careful cooking and "some love and some passion, of course."

Source | AP