French Championship
On 3 November 2026, at Groupama’s headquarters in Paris, the latest edition of the French Pâté-Croûte Championship will take place.
Following a historic inaugural event in 2025, which formalised the transformation of the former France, Benelux and Switzerland selection into a fully-fledged French Championship, the event returns to celebrate another day of excellence in pâté-croûte.
At the end of this competition, the best contestants will qualify for the World Pâté-Croûte Championship Final, and a new French Champion will be crowned.
List of 21 selected candidates for the 2026 French Pâté-Croûte Championship
- M Olivier SAUZON, RESTAURANT ARGENSON, Lyon
- Mme Laëtitia VISSE, LA FEMME DU BOUCHER, Marseille
- M. Kenji TAKENOSHITA, LA PYRAMIDE, Vienne
- M. Fabien PIERRET, LA FABRIQUE DU CHEF , Peypin
- M. Antonin ROUX, LA MÈRE BRAZIER, Lyon
- M. Jérémie CRAUSER, MAISON CRAUSER ET BELLO, Lyon
- M. Cédric MAZILLER , LA CONSERVERIE DE BELLE ISLE EN MER , Le Palais – Belle Ile en Mer
- M. Laurent BOUILLOUD, AU VIEUX MOULIN, Le Versoud
- M. Antoine COLOT, MAISON THIELEN, Paris
- M. Guillaume RAGOT, LA CHAPELLE SAINT-MARTIN, Nieul
- M. Romain SPIRE, LES DÉLICES DU RENARD, Reims
- M. Matthieu WACOGNE, MAISON WACOGNE, Dreux
- M. Jérémy PRALONG, CHEZ MARINE ET JEREMY, Châteaurenard
- M. Constant CHEVASSUS, LE VIN GOURMAND, Lyon
- M. Maxime SZCZEPANIAK, MANDIBULE, Alixan
- M. Damien BELZ, BIHOTZ TRAITEUR, Besançon
- M. Paul DI GIANDOMENICO, DENTS DE LOUP, Paris
- Mme Fanny SCHMITT, HOTEL PLAZA ATHENEE, Paris
- M. Vincent BOUCHER, LE PETIT RESTAURANT, Ajaccio
- M. Laurent BOUVIER, RESTAURANT LA CABORNE, Limonest
- M. Tony SALOMON, RESTAURANT ADOUR BY ALAIN DUCASSE, Meudon
The French Championship final will take place on 3 November in Paris, and the World Championship final will take place on 30 November in Lyon.
Key Figures 2025
Candidatures envoyées
+
0
Candidats présélectionnés
0
Finalistes retenus
0
Lauréats qualifiés
0
1ère édition & Palmarès
Le 5 novembre 2025, l’Espace Voyage de La Samaritaine à Paris a accueilli la première édition du Championnat de France de Pâté-Croûte. 21 finalistes d’exception se sont affrontés devant un jury prestigieux pour entrer dans l’histoire.
Au terme de la délibération, Jonathan Dudek a été couronné premier Champion de France. Il mène les 7 lauréats qui se sont qualifiés pour la Finale du Championnat du Monde de Pâté-Croûte. Découvrez le palmarès officiel de cette édition fondatrice.
Prix Spécial
CHAMPION DE FRANCE 2025
Les 6 autres lauréats qualifiés pour la Finale Mondiale
Call for applications & How it works
Essential Rules
- Only one candidate is allowed per establishment.
- A candidate may participate in only one selection (French or International).
- The recipe and shape of the pâté-croûte are considered final once the application has been validated.
- Any publication of a photo of the pâté-croûte online before the World Final will result in immediate disqualification.
Given the success of the championship, we kindly ask you to inform us of your intention to participate by registering via the dedicated link. This will allow us to ensure your application is properly received and to send you updated information.
Calendar & Key Stages
From selection to consecration, here is the detailed journey of the 2026 edition.
Step 1: The selection process for the French Pâté-Croûte Championship
- Applications will be accepted from 10 June until midnight on 2 October 2026.
- Selection of 40 candidates based on their applications to be announced on 7 October 2026.
- The 40 candidates selected on the basis of their applications must send 14 portions via Chronofresh (date and location to be confirmed).
- Selection of the 1è best pâtés based on tasting to be announced on 14 October 2026
Stage 2: The French Championship – 3 November – Paris
The 17 shortlisted candidates – the winner of the competition for the best mountain-style pâté-croûte held as part of the Toquicimes Festival, the winner of the competition for the best Corsican regional pâté-croûte, and the winner of the French Charcuterie Championship – will compete in person during a tasting session judged by the jury members to select seven winners: the French Champion and the six other top contestants who will take part in the final.
Step 3: The World Championship – Final on 30 November – Lyon
The 15 finalists (the 7 French finalists and the 8 international finalists) will compete in the final of the World Pâté-Croûte Championship on 30 November in Lyon at La Sucrière for the title of 2026 World Pâté-Croûte Champion.
Grande finale à Lyon -
- 1ᵉʳ décembre 2025 : La grande finale du Championnat du Monde à La Sucrière, Lyon. Les 15 finalistes (7 issus du Championnat de France + 8 des sélections Monde) seront départagés par un jury d’exception.
Jury & Presidency
To award such a prestigious title, the French Championship has brought together an exceptional panel of judges. It includes Michelin-starred chefs, Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (France’s finest craftsmen), and renowned figures from the culinary world. Their expertise and impartiality will ensure a fair and undisputed verdict.
Jury President
Jury Members
Arnaud LARHER
MOF pâtissier confiseur,
Maison Arnaud Larher, Paris
Vincent GUERLAIS
Président de Relais Desserts,
Maison Vincent Guerlais, Nantes
Thibault GONZALES
Champion du monde de pâté-croûte 2025
Stéphane DUVAL
MOF charcutier,
Chef exécutif Elior Derichebourg, Paris
Frédéric COTE
Chef cuisinier,
Au Colombier, Anse
Frédéric LE GUEN -GEFFROY
Champion du monde de pâté-croûte 2023
Thomas BOULLAULT
Chef propriétaire,
L'Arôme*, Paris
Boris CAMPANELLA
Chef Exécutif
David BIZET
Chef exécutif
L’Oiseau Blanc**, The Peninsula Paris
Frédéric BERTHOD
Chef exécutif,
Lyon
Laurent GUEZ
Journaliste Gastronomique
Vincent FERNIOT
Journaliste gastronomique
Arnaud BERNOLLIN
Co-fondateur du Championnat du monde
de pâté-croûte
Julien GAUTIER
Chef cuisinier
M Restaurant, Lyon
Jean-Francois TÊTEDOIE
Chef cuisinier
Café Terroir, Lyon
Christophe RAOUX
MOF cuisinier, Chef exécutif
Le Royal*, Champillon
Philippe BERNACHON
Chocolatier
Bernachon Chocolats, Lyon
Photo Gallery
Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the French Pâté-Croûte Championship . Relive the highlights of the competition, from behind the scenes to the tasting of the creations, through our official photo gallery.
Partners
The first edition of the French Pâté-Croûte Championship would not have been possible without the support of our partners. They share our values of excellence, transmission, and the defense of gastronomic heritage. We warmly thank them for their trust and commitment.
Sponsor of the 2025 Edition
Major Partners
FAQ
The competition is open to professionals in the culinary trades (chefs, charcutiers, caterers, etc.) with at least 5 years of experience and an active business registration (SIRET). Home-based chefs and teachers are not eligible.
Your participation is confirmed only upon receipt of a postal acknowledgment, a digital confirmation (for online submissions), or a physical receipt (for in-person submissions).
No. The recipe and shape of the pâté-croûte are considered final once the application has been validated.
NO. Any photo of the competing pâté-croûte published online before the World Championship Final (December 1, 2025) will result in the candidate’s immediate and irrevocable disqualification.
Yes. If you are among the 40 candidates selected based on your application, sending 14 slices is mandatory for the tasting selection. The shipment must be made using a refrigerated transport service such as Chronofresh.
Yes, the calendar has been updated. The official and final dates are those displayed in the #calendar section of this website.