Of all the crêpe variations, Crêpes Suzette is considered the queen. However, its true origin remains uncertain and is shrouded in legend and anecdote.
One of the most famous stories dates back to 1896, when the future King Edward VIII visited the legendary Café de Paris in Monte Carlo. While preparing crêpes, a young apprentice chef named Henri Charpentier accidentally spilled orange liqueur, which caught fire. Thinking quickly, Henri improvised and served the flambéed dish as a new creation. The prince loved it and named it after a lady in his party – Suzette.
Other versions of the story claim that Edward was accompanied by a seamstress or an actress of the same name, or that a stage actress with that name had to eat crêpes during a performance, even though she disliked them. Out of sympathy, a chef created a refined version especially for her, which was later known as crêpes Suzette.
Whether born from an accident, a theatre anecdote or royal inspiration, one thing is certain: Crêpes Suzette remain one of the world's most famous and elegant crêpe creations.