Dutch Culinary Triumph in French Fries Championship
In a remarkable culinary achievement, Dutch chef Siem van Bruggen has been crowned the world champion of French fries making at the prestigious World Championship of French Fries in Arras, France. The Utrecht-based chef's authentic fries were judged the tastiest in the world, beating 32 other competitors from across the globe.
Historic Victory in French Heartland
The third edition of this international competition, organized by the Arras tourism bureau since 2023, featured five categories: authentic fries, creative fries, family fries, fries sauce, and fries from around the world. Van Bruggen triumphed in the authentic fries category, considered the most prestigious division of the competition.
"I am thrilled with this prize. Fries are very popular in our culture," the winner told French media after the ceremony. Van Bruggen operates two establishments in Utrecht and Leiden, where he has perfected his craft using organic potatoes and a unique preparation method that involves boiling the potatoes in rosemary-infused water before frying.
Arras: A City with Potato Heritage
The choice of Arras as the competition venue is particularly significant given the city's deep historical connection to potatoes. In 1526, botanist Charles de l'Écluse (Carolus Clusius) began cultivating the previously unknown tuber from Peru in this very region. Clusius was instrumental in introducing many New World plants to Europe, including the potato that would eventually become a staple of European cuisine.
Previous Champions and Growing Competition
Last year's world title went to a French fries maker from Angers, while the inaugural competition in 2023 was won by a chef from Lille. The growing popularity of the championship reflects the global appreciation for this humble yet beloved food item that has become an international culinary icon.
The competition highlights the ongoing evolution of French fries from simple street food to gourmet cuisine, with chefs worldwide experimenting with different potato varieties, cutting techniques, and cooking methods to create the perfect fry.