Natalie Compton

BTS of the BTS #baguettejournalism

I went behind the scenes at The Grand Prix de la Baguette de Tradition Française, Paris’s most revered bread competition. Here’s the official cut for the Washington Post. And here’s who won this year! 1. Le Fournil Didot - 103, rue Didot (14e)
2. Boulangerie B&S Nation - 24, place de la Nation (12e)
3. L'Ecrin Gourmand - 15, avenue du Dr Arnold Netter (12e)
4. Maison Daguet - 175, rue de la Convention (15e)
5. Boulangerie Laurent B. - 112, rue Saint Dominique (7e)
6. Boulangerie Guyot Ferreira - 28, rue Monge (5e)
7. Maison LEPARQ - 6, rue de Lourmel (15e)
8. Boulangerie Moderne Rabineau - 16, rue des Fossés Saint-Jacques (5e)
9. Aux Délices de Glacière - 90, boulevard Auguste Blanqui (13e)
10. Au Paradis du Gourmand - 156, rue Raymond Losserand (14e)

New substack post: a dispatch from Paris 💫

I have dreamed of visiting La Ruta del Lechón, or the “pork highway” in Puerto Rico ever since Anthony J. Rivera wrote his incredible story for the Washington Post in 2022. It took me a few years, but I finally made it there (with my best friend Leah and my favorite Dan, no less). We over-ordered, over-ate, and loved every minute. Anthony’s guide was a godsend for navigating the adventure. If you comment with a newspaper emoji 🗞️ I’ll send you a gift link to the article.

IT IS SO EASY TO RENEW PASSPORTS NOW!!!!!! For more tips on using the online system, comment with a newspaper emoji 🗞️ and I’ll send you the link to my article. #passport

He was shredding

Who paid for this

Amtrak’s Airo fleet is coming to a track near you in 2026 (if you live in the Pacific Northwest, that is). I got a first look onboard today for the Washington Post. Comment with a newspaper emoji and I’ll send you our full story on the debut.

Comment with a newspaper emoji (📰🗞️) and I will send you the link to the fundraiser ❤️

It’s the end of an era! Southwest officially ended open seating, and began a new assigned seating model on Jan. 27. I took a few flights on opening day to see what it’s like, and talk to travelers about their feelings on the transition. For my full Washington Post story on Southwest’s latest changes, comment with a newspaper emoji 🗞️ and I will send you the link.

@Rick Steves’ Europe: “When we travel, we become bolder.”

Remember bon voyage? @Rick Steves’ Europe does. #travelandadventureshow

My email is open: [email protected] Looking to speak to hotel franchisees in the US! Or people who know about hotel f&b costs 👀👀👀👀 as cage-free egg state regulations change, and companies face deadlines on their own cage-free pledges, NOT TO MENTION BIRD FLU CRAZINESS, has the cost of eggs changed a lot going into 2026?

Why does the cardamom bun at Manifest Bread in Riverdale, MD taste like heaven? Because angels like Gwen spend four days making them from scratch — like old timey scratch, starting with whole grain and milling it in-house. The result is divine. 📍 Manifest Bread, 6208 Rhode Island Ave, Riverdale, MD 20737 
For a guide to more of my favorite DC places, comment with a baguette emoji 🥖 and I will send you my list.

What does a three Michelin star chef like to eat when he travels? I sat down with Eric Ripert to find out.