Home French Fries World Championships

The culinary flagship of northern France, fresh home-made fries are firmly rooted in the gastronomic traditions of the Hauts-de-France region. Arras could well become the heart of this tradition by hosting the French Fries World Championships.

The French Fries World Championships

The event takes the form of a culinary challenge on the Grand’Place in Arras, a thousand-year-old gathering place, where pre-selected candidates from the Hauts-de-France region and far beyond can compete in a range of categories, each offering a different way of sublimating fresh fries right before the eyes of the spectators.

Authentic French Fries

Reserved for catering professionals, this category presents fries as they are traditionally prepared and eaten in the north of France.

Frites dans une assiette © Louis Hansel

Family French Fries

The top category, open to amateurs. Candidates will have to offer their version of “home-style” fries, made in household conditions.

Pommes de terre à frite © Monika Grabkowska

Creative French Fries

The only condition for taking part here is to come up with an original recipe for fries, in terms of shape, cooking method or anything else your imagination can come up with.

Frite créative du Championnat du Monde de la Frite © Axel Willerval

French Fry Sauces of the year

We’re not talking about the fries here, but their best friend: the sauce! Hot AND cold, they should be made on the spot, using unprocessed ingredients.

Fries of the world

This category allows candidates from all over the world to present fries as they are traditionally served in their country. They can be accompanied by the ingredients needed to make a truly typical dish. A festival awaits the jury’s taste buds.

Frite du monde du Championnat du Monde de la Frite © Axel Willerval

Rising Star French fries

Same rules as for the “Authentic French Fries” category, but here the entry is reserved for students in hotel management training accompanied by their teacher. They can offer a side dish or sauce with their fries. A great springboard for the winner.

Barquette de frites cc © Matthieu Bequart (3)

What about those who don’t make fries?

Two podiums will be set up on the Grand’Place to welcome the competitors in the 6 Championships categories. The public will have a front-row seat to admire the techniques and trade secrets of both amateur and professional competitors.

Seeing fries? Big deal! But eating them is even better! You’ll be able to feast on the creations of various partner fries shops (including those run by our former World Champions) and even accompany them with excellent local craft beers* in a friendly, festive atmosphere in the middle of the Fries Village. And to wash it all down, take part in a potato sack race!

Charles de L’Écluse, Arras’ potato prophet

Did you know?

The fries we know today would probably never have existed had it not been for the persistence of one of the most remarkable botanists of the Renaissance, Charles de l’Écluse (known as Clusius), born in Arras in 1526, who devoted a great deal of energy to cultivating this little-known tuber from Peru in his own experimental garden, in order to advertise it to the great European lords, long before the famous Parmentier. In all modesty, it would seem that the Pays d’Artois was ‘at the root’ of the advent of fries as we know them today! And that’s just the beginning.

World Champion!

The winners in each category will be awarded a trophy specially designed for this original and gourmet gastronomic event.

FOLLOW THE CHAMPIONSHIPS ON INSTAGRAM

Sign up for the 2025 French Fries World Championships

Trophée du Championnat du Monde de la Frite

Whether you’re a professional, a private individual or an apprentice, do you have what it takes to be a World Champion French Fryer? Fill in our registration form by clicking on the button below to apply and maybe get the chance to compete live from the Grand’Place in Arras on the 27th September 2025.

Applications are open until the 8th of June inclusive!

I WANT TO SIGN UP AND TRY MY LUCK!

Practical information:

  • 27 September 2025 on the Grand’Place in Arras – Free admission

2Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health. Drink in moderation.