For the French, bread is a part of everyday life: a daily source of sustenance. Saint Honoré, from northern France, is recognized for many miracles, but is essentially associated with miracles involving bread. Known in Latin as Honoratus, he is the patron saint of bakers and pastry chefs. The sumptuous Saint-Honoré cake, a classic French treat, was created in his honour in 1857.
St Honoré was a seventh-century Bishop of Amiens, and his connection with bread is not immediately apparent. His parents were affluent, and his childhood was comfortable: his father was a nobleman from Amiens, 120 kilometres north of Paris. With such a wealthy background, Honoré knew little about bread and baking; he probably never even ventured into the kitchen. He was, however, a deeply pious child who and wanted to serve God.
