Awen Franceschi crowned France's Best Apprentice Cook 2024
The final of France's Best Apprentice Cook competition took place this Monday, January 13, 2025 in Lyon. Find out more about the competition and the winner.
Remember her name! After several months of competition and a hotly contested national final, Awen Franceschi, winner from the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region, has been crowned France's Best Apprentice Cook 2024. The final was held on January 13 at the prestigious Vatel Academy in Lyon, bringing together the 12 best apprentice chefs in France, selected from 120 participants from all over the country.
An exceptional competition
The competition began three months earlier with the regional selections, a veritable culinary marathon. These events, organized in each region, selected the most promising talents among the apprentice chefs. The 12 finalists thus qualified for the national final, where rigor, creativity and technical skill are essential.
On D-day, the finalists had four hours to prepare a set menu featuring French produce and gastronomic tradition:
- Starter: Frog legs breaded in tandoori, pan-fried, parsley jus with hazelnut butter.
- Main course: Honey-glazed Bresse pigeon, pine nut crumble, fennel compote with cumin and Devil's sauce.
- Dessert: Guanaja chocolate soufflé
Under the patronage of chef Éric Frechon, the jury carefully assessed the candidates. They paid particular attention to the mastery of techniques, the balance of flavors and the aesthetics of the dishes.
With this title, Awen Franceschi enters the big league and represents the future of French gastronomy. She embodies a promising generation, ready to perpetuate and reinvent French culinary excellence.
