France and Paul Marcon win the Bocuse d’Or in Lyon

And “childhood dream” which comes true: chef Paul Marcon won the Bocuse d’Or for France on Monday, “Grail” of gastronomy, ahead of Denmark and Sweden after two days of competition, and thirty years after his father’s coronation.

Twenty-four countries were finalists for these “Olympic Games” of cuisine, which took place since Sunday at Sirha, the trade fair for hotel and catering professionals, in Chassieu, near Lyon.

“Paul, well done. There you have it, your Bocuse d’Or! »said the president of the competition, Jérôme Bocuse, by presenting the coveted statuette to the 28-year-old from Auvergne and to his clerk, Camille Pigot, also crowned best clerk in publishing.

“A lot of pride, a lot of emotion. It’s the reward for two years’ work, even more”underlined Paul Marcon in front of the press, visibly moved, just like the rest of his team.

This is France’s ninth consecration to the Bocuse d’Or, created in 1987 by the illustrious Lyon chef Paul Bocuse, who died in 2018. The previous edition, in 2023, was won by Denmark.

“Today, I hope that we make the eyes of all the cooks, and future cooks of France, shine”added this outstanding competitor, son of three-star chef Régis Marcon, himself winner of the Bocuse d’Or in 1995.

The candidates had 4 hours 40 minutes to serve a dish highlighting celery, lean meat and lobster. At the same time, they had 5.5 hours to create a platter, composed of a dish and three garnishes, around venison, foie gras and tea.

Everyone had to put the identity of their country in the spotlight.

The crispy venison shoulder pie braised in red wine, foie gras and wild mushrooms, or the lacy celery stalk, green apple and Chartreuse, prepared by Paul Marcon and Camille Pigot, visibly won over the juries.

“It was chiseled, it was clean, it was crisp. There is nothing else to say except: well done”warmly greeted chef Davy Tissot, president of the International Organizing Committee of the Bocuse d’Or, and himself winner with France in 2021.

The Danes, represented by Sebastian Holberg, winner of the European selections, and the Swedish team, led by Gustav Leonhardt, displayed smiles of satisfaction, also being able to be proud of having received frank support from their supporters, who came in droves.