A Dutchman wins World French Fries Championship in Arras

Published: November 5, 2025 by Gill Harris

Each year, lovers of French fries turn their eyes on Arras, where the annual Championnat du Monde de la Frite is held.

This year, the world championships saw 33 hopefuls compete on the Grand’Place in the historic Pas-de-Calais prefecture, showcasing their skills in five categories, including ‘authentic’ fries, creative variations and sauces.

And this year’s prize for la frite authentique went not to a Belgian or a French chef, but a Dutchman. Siem Bruggen, from Utrecht, impressed the panel of judges with his method of blanching the fries in rosemary-infused water before double-frying in vegetable oil. The effect is to soften the interior of the fry by blanching while the double fry ensures a crisp, golden exterior.

“The fry is really very popular in our country, but perhaps a bit less than in France or Belgium. To be recognised here is incredible,” said Bruggen.

But France didn’t lose out all together. In the creative fry category, Fanny Bouyagui from Roubaix, near Lille, won; Alexandre Blondiaux, from Mons-en-Barœul (Nord), took home the award for best sauce; and Romain Lemay, from Fretin (Nord), came third overall in the general rankings.

Vincent Ferniot, president of the judging panel, told RTL: “Doing a first cooking in water is very traditional in England, particularly in fish and chips. Nobody had dared it in this championship until now.”

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