The bouillabaisse championships
Bringing professionals together, defending traditional craft, and celebrating the recipes and rituals of Marseille bouillabaisse.
French Bouillabaisse Championship
The first French Bouillabaisse Championship took place on Sunday 7 December 2025 at La Calanque Bleue in Sausset-les-Pins. It was organised by La Calanque Bleue and the Association des Spécialistes de la Bouillabaisse, with the support of the town of Sausset-les-Pins.
Six chefs from across France cooked their bouillabaisse according to the official charter. Around the contest: a market of local makers and producers, round tables on the sea, fishing and bouillabaisse, food trucks and live music. Free entry.
Benjamin Mathieu
L'Esplaï du Grand Bar des Goudes, Marseille. Selected to represent France at the World Championship.
The six competitors
| Chef | Restaurant | Town |
|---|---|---|
| Benjamin MathieuFrench Champion | L'Esplaï du Grand Bar des Goudes | Marseille |
| Teddy Peignard | Chez Camille | Ramatuelle |
| Marta Bigianti | Picotte | Paris |
| Nathalie Gaultier | Le Chalut | Carro, Martigues |
| Jan Journot | Marinette | Ajaccio |
| Christophe Brasier | Les Pieds dans l'Eau | Anthy-sur-Léman |
The jury
| Jury member | Role |
|---|---|
| Gérald Passédat | Le Petit Nice, Marseille · three Michelin stars · patron of the championship |
| Guillaume Gomez | Ambassador of French gastronomy, former head chef at the Élysée Palace |
| Reine Sammut | Former Michelin-starred chef of La Fenière, Lourmarin |
| Ludovic Turac | Une Table au Sud, Marseille · one Michelin star |
| Michel Portos | Chef of Malthazar and Le Poulpe, Marseille |
| Dominique Frérard | Maître Cuisinier de France |
| Christine Pontcharreau-Amsellem | President of the PACA region fishermen's union |
| Alexandre Pinna | Chez Fonfon, Marseille |
| Gabrielle Galligani | Le Rhul, Marseille |
| Yvan Vahanian | La Calanque Bleue · host and organiser |
The jury in pictures
The rules
A set recipe
A bouillabaisse made according to the official charter.
Blind tasting
The jury tastes each bouillabaisse without knowing who cooked it, over one hour.
Four criteria
Quality of the soup, precise cooking, balance of flavours, respect for tradition.
The championship in pictures
World Bouillabaisse Championship
The first World Bouillabaisse Championship was held on 15 March 2026 at the Parc Chanot in Marseille, during the Sirha Méditerranée trade show. It was organised by Piga Conseil, chaired by Guillaume Gomez, together with the Association des Spécialistes de la Bouillabaisse.
Six countries competed. Three hours of cooking and a two-course service in the Marseille tradition. The jury, chaired by Dominique Frérard, judged the choice of fish, the clarity of the broth, the cooking and the overall balance. Les Halles METRO, official partner, supplied the fish, fruit and vegetables.
The podium
| Rank | Country | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | Benjamin Mathieu, with his father and Moudjassadi Ali Bacar, an apprentice from the École de la deuxième chance |
| 2 | Switzerland | Konstantinos Kamperis, with chef Ali Dhaini and an apprentice from the École hôtelière d'Aix-en-Provence |
| 3 | Japan | Teraoka Shozo, with Eiji Kano and Mathéo Blanc, an apprentice from the École hôtelière d'Aix-en-Provence |
| — | Mexico · United Arab Emirates · Italy | Just off the podium |
The jury
| Jury member | Role |
|---|---|
| Dominique Frérard | Maître Cuisinier de France · jury president |
| Guillaume Gomez | Meilleur Ouvrier de France, Ambassador of French gastronomy |
| René Bergès | Maître Cuisinier de France, La Table de Beaurecueil |
| Reine Sammut | Leading figure of Provençal cuisine |
| Christine Pontcharreau-Amsellem | President of the PACA region fishermen's union |
| Éric Coisel | Chef, treasurer of Euro-Toques France |
| Alexandre Pinna | Chez Fonfon, Marseille |
| Gabrielle Galligani | Le Rhul, Marseille |
| Yvan Vahanian | La Calanque Bleue, Sausset-les-Pins |
Photos
Compete or join the jury
The second French Championship will take place in February 2027. To hear when registration opens, write to contact@specialistes-bouillabaisse.fr or follow the Association on Instagram.