Toulouse is having a hard time digesting… While the Pink City is on the verge of stealing the 3rd place for the most populated cities in France from Lyon, it has had to bow to Lyon's culinary dominance, especially in a field that is usually Toulouse's own: cassoulet. Lyon, the land of quenelles and bouchons, triumphed at the prestigious 2025 World Championships held… in Toulouse.
When Lyon Turns the Tables on the Southwest
On Monday, January 20, the Rex in Toulouse hosted this flavorful competition. Five renowned establishments faced off under the watchful eye of an expert jury, led by the star chef Michel Sarran, a local hero. What was supposed to be a mere formality for the Toulousains turned into a Hitchcock-like scenario: after some tight tastings, it was the duo of Timothée Déguingand and Nicolas Ferrand, representing the Pullman Lyon Part-Dieu Hotel, who snatched the trophy and the laurels for the best cassoulet in the world.
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The ultimate irony? The people of Lyon weren’t even supposed to participate. They stepped in at the last minute for a failing team. With a well-crafted recipe and a pinch of daring, they turned all the predictions upside down, leaving the audience and local participants in awe.
Lyon, now more than ever the capital of gastronomy
With this victory, Lyon reaffirms its status as a temple of gastronomy. From bouchons to grand Michelin-starred restaurants, the city masterfully blends tradition and innovation. And it seems that even with a signature dish from the South-West, the Lyonnaise touch makes all the difference.
