In 2019, M6 broadcast the tenth season of Top chef. It was Samuel Albert who emerged as the big winner, against his adventure buddy Guillaume Pape. But many other talents were revealed to viewers during this edition. In effect, Merouan Bounekraf, eliminated a few weeks before the final, is doing well. Since his participation, he has made his place on the small screen. Despite this new career as a chef animator, the charming 32-year-old brunette does not forget where he comes from and has forged strong ties with his former comrades met in the famous culinary competition… or almost.
Monday April 25, 2022, on the occasion of the broadcast of Chefs at homea program where Norbert Tarayre faces each week another plate professional, Merouan Bounekraf, also in the cast of the program, engages in the Buzz-TV of TV Magazine. He is thus questioned about his relations with his competitors in Top chef. And when asked if he has kept in touch with them, the young chef is sincere: “Not with everyone!“Faced with questions from Damien Canivez, the joker of his season explains:”Because not everyone likes me and i don’t like everyone. It’s like in a company, in a football team: you’re not friends with everyone.“
No way for him to reveal names. However, Merouan Bounekraf agrees to say a little more. “I am very close to some, even other seasons. There are 14, 15 seasons based on 15 candidates per season, we know each otherhe says. We often worked together so so-and-so knows so-and-so… We share tips, we go eat at each other’s, find out when one of us opens a restaurant.“
Remember that since Top chef, Merouan Bounekraf’s daily life has changed. The young chef thus animated the second part of the evening of the Best Pastry Chef: Made to Order Cakes with Julia Vignali in September 2020, is part of the jury of My cake is the best in France alongside Cyril Lignac, Luana Belmondo, Pépée Le Mat and Louise Petitrenaud, presented Top Chef: the most extraordinary restaurants and joined the jury of The best bakery in France. Finally, he opened his bakery and pastry shop at the end of 2021, Panade, in the 15th arrondissement of the capital. A very nice route!