Last updated: 11:00 PM ET, Thu September 25, 2025
WHY IT RATES: The Pastry World Cup and Bocuse d’Or will return to New Orleans in 2026 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center alongside the Louisiana Restaurant Association Showcase, hosting culinary competitions and industry events with teams from the Americas. —Janeen Christoff, TravelPulse Managing Editor
New Orleans and Company, Sirha Food® and The Louisiana Restaurant Association Showcase (LRA Showcase) are pleased to announce that the Americas selection of the Pastry World Cup and Bocuse d’Or will return to New Orleans and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, following a historic and highly successful debut in New Orleans in 2024. No other U.S. city has ever hosted this prestigious international culinary competition.
A new twist is that Bocuse d’Or and Pastry World Cup will be held in conjunction with the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) Showcase, the largest restaurant and hospitality industry tradeshow in the Gulf Coast of the United States.
Held at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the event will bring together chefs, restaurateurs, suppliers and industry experts, with 150 exhibitors, giving American cuisine greater visibility. By being part of this unmissable trade show, which welcomes each year more than 6,000 professional visitors, the continental selections underline the anchoring of the competitions in a dynamic ecosystem, conducive to innovation, exchanges and the celebration of gastronomic know-how.
The Americas Selections: A Decisive Step Towards the Grand Finals
On July 25th, 2026, the Americas selection of the Pastry World Cup will bring together 8 teams from all over the American continent. Each team, made up of 3 specialists (a sugar expert, a chocolatier and an ice cream specialist), will have to demonstrate technicality, audacity and mastery to convince the jury. At the end of this demanding day, only the four best teams will qualify for the Grand Final of the Pastry World Cup 2027. The next day, the competition will continue with the Bocuse d’Or Americas. 8 teams, from 8 different countries, each composed of a chef, a commis, a coach and a jury will defend their vision of gastronomy in order to gain a place for the Grand Final. Commitment, rigor and teamwork will be essential to enter the Top 5 of the ranking, to be qualified to the Bocuse d’Or 2027.
“New Orleans is proud to once again host two of the world’s premier culinary competitions, said Walt Leger III, President and CEO of New Orleans & Company. The 2024 events were a resounding success, and we are thrilled to welcome back top chefs and pastry masters from across the Americas as they compete for global recognition. In partnership with LRA, we see this as a powerful opportunity to showcase New Orleans’ unmatched culinary culture and elevate our city’s place on the world stage.”
“Hosting the Bocuse d’Or Americas in New Orleans alongside the LRA Showcase is a milestone for our city and our industry, adds Stan Harris, President and CEO of Louisiana Restaurant Association. Both Pastry World Cup and the Bocuse d’Or represent the pinnacle of culinary excellence, and its presence here will elevate the experience for our industry attendees—combining education, innovation, and networking with the rare chance to witness a competition that shapes the future of global gastronomy. We aspire for the LRA Showcase to be seen as the essential gathering for the entire Gulf South restaurant and hospitality industry.”
Louisiana, a Crossroads of Cultures and Tastes
New Orleans, with its rich French, Spanish, and Creole influences, continues to earn global acclaim for its culinary scene, iconic dishes, and deep-rooted food culture. The city has earned numerous James Beard Foundation awards and was named 2025 Best Food City in the US by Time Out Magazine. With more than 3,000 restaurants, including several Michelin-starred, a vibrant culinary scene and numerous gourmet festivals, Louisiana is a destination of choice for food lovers. Its attractiveness goes beyond the plate: each year, more than 20 million visitors discover the richness of its heritage, its special energy and its unique atmosphere.
For more information, visit neworleans.com/bocusedor.
SOURCE: New Orleans & Company press release.
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