Article du 29 January 2025
Ninth consecration for France
French gastronomy shines again on the international stage!
Paul Marcon, 29, has won the prestigious Bocuse d’Or 2025, bringing this iconic trophy back to France.
This triumph takes on a special dimension, as it marks the first father-son double in the history of the competition, 30 years after his father, Régis Marcon, won in 1995.
An emotional scene played out when the results were announced, with a proud father, tears in his eyes, hugging his son to the cheers of a jubilant audience.
This consecration, the ninth for France, testifies to the talent and rigor of Paul Marcon, who dominated a fierce competition against 23 other nations, including the formidable Scandinavian candidates from Denmark and Sweden.
Cover photo: Paul Marcon, winner of the 2025 Bocuse d’or © Elisa Hilaire
Photo opposite: Paul Marcon – Bocuse d’Or 2025 © Nicolas Reynaud
Photos below: Plateau Paul Marcon © Julien Bouvier
A high-flying challenge for the world’s greatest chefs
Nicknamed the “Olympics of gastronomy”, the Bocuse d’Or is an event of excellence where the greatest culinary talents compete in a two-day gastronomic marathon.
The chefs had to sublimate three imposed ingredients – celery, lean meat and lobster – into an exceptional dish, before creating a platter featuring venison, foie gras and tea.
True to his Auvergne roots, Paul Marcon won over the judges by adding local touches to his plate, notably green apple and chartreuse. For the platter, he paid homage to his terroir by using mushrooms in all their forms, a culinary signature that struck a chord with the judges.
A tense competition and a hotly contested podium
In an overexcited atmosphere, the stands at Sirha Lyon vibrated to the rhythm of cheering fans. With drums beating and flags flying, the Scandinavian delegations were hoping to win another title, Denmark having already won the previous edition in 2023.
But it was France who took the top step of the podium, followed by Denmark (silver) and Sweden (bronze). Five-time winners Norway had to be content with fourth place.
At the same time, Camille Pigot, who was assisting Paul Marcon, was awarded the prize for Best Clerk, a further honour for Team France!
Photo below: Camille Pigot and Paul Marcon © Studio Vingtrois
A gastronomic heritage that lives on
This 20th edition of the Bocuse d’Or paid tribute to its founder, Paul Bocuse, a legendary figure in world gastronomy, who passed away in 2018.
Created in 1987, this competition has become a true symbol of culinary excellence, where technique, creativity and endurance combine with a passion for the craft.
With this victory, Paul Marcon embodies the new generation of French chefs, while following in a prestigious lineage.
Moved and grateful during his speech, he hopes to “light up the eyes of all chefs and future chefs in France”.
What’s next? A promising future for Paul Marcon
Although this victory represents the culmination of two years of intense preparation, Paul Marcon has no intention of stopping there. After having tasted consecration, he wants to take the time to savor this unique moment before thinking about the next step in his career.
With this Bocuse d’Or in his pocket, all doors are now open to him, whether as head of a Michelin-starred restaurant, in the world of haute gastronomy, or through the transmission of his know-how to future generations.
One thing is certain: France has not finished writing its culinary history on the world stage.
Photo below: Plateau Paul Marcon © Julien Bouvier
