It is a team of winners that will represent France, for the first time, in the World Food Championship, in the Burger category. Chefs Benoît Sanchez, Joannes Richard and Thibault Desimeur will fly the tricolor flag during this World Food Championship competition that will take place from November 9 to 13 in Dallas.
They had all gathered, at the Goku Asian Canteen restaurant, in the presence of their support, Vincent Boccarawinner of the French Hamburger Cup 2017, Wednesday, October 19. A meeting in the form of an essay for the Team Burger Franceduring which the three chefs developed two recipes including a vegetarian option with the group’s latest culinary innovation Arla Foodsthe cooperative committed to responsible dairy production, also its sponsor.
“We support this ambitious team because it makes sustainable and responsible development a strong focus,” Christophe Babut, CEO of Arla Foods France.
Created in 2012, the WFC is the largest Food Sport competition in the world and brings together several hundred international chefs and artisans every year to push the limits of creativity and innovation in the great culinary realms. In 2019, more than 1,400 chefs from 42 states and 15 different countries, as well as more than 25,000 foodies participated in the event. The key: the title of the best chef in the world by category and the World Food Champion, all areas combined.
3 champions in the race
Therefore, Team Burger France will be represented by 3 chefs. John Ricard, a former rugby player at Rugby Club Nîmes, turned to catering in 2018 by opening his first home, before becoming, in 2021, French Champion of Hamburgers among 370 candidates. At his side, Thibaud Desimeur, 2e member of the France team has been shaken by the kitchen since his childhood. Trained by chef Michel Kayser, he opened his first restaurant at the age of 23. Now he brings his know-how to hamburger recipes, combining urban culture and traditional cuisine. Finally, Benoit Sanchez is also embarking on this global competition. Coming from a professional training in the kitchen, he perfected his art in European gourmet restaurants and stars. First runner-up in the Coupe de France de Burger in 2017, and in the World Burger Contest in 2019, he won the Burgers Toqués contest in 2019 and the World Burger Contest held in Sirha in 2021.