Difficult to believe that a woman at the helm of such a company could maintain this aura of sweetness and charm. Ushering us in her office like a hostess welcoming her guests, it is with a big smile chat Nathalie Rykiel, now president and artistic director of Sonia Rykiel, opened her doors to Desserts to share her gourmet confessions with us.

What can't you live without?

Dark chocolate.

Your favourite desserts?

Simple and hearty cakes, a semolina cake with sultanas soaked in just enough rum, or the Mazeltov, a light cheesecake by Jean-Paul Hévin.

A particular sweet dish from your childhood that springs to mind? 

Sunday night’s creamy vermicelli soup remains ingrained in my memory.

What do you do at teatime?

In a perfect world I would make love, but on a day-to-day basis, I work.

A guilty pleasure to share? 

Without the slightest hesitation, the Ispahan by Pierre Hermé.

If you were a dessert?

Something beautiful, slightly resilient and charming like a pomme d'amour.

From magazine "Desserts" Spring - Summer n°09