Dutch chef wins world title for authentic French fries in France

Dutch chef Siem van Bruggen claimed the top prize for the world’s “most authentic” French fries at the third annual international chip competition in Arras, France, on Saturday, September 27.

The event drew 33 contestants from multiple countries competing across five categories, including authentic, creative, family, chip sauce, and global fries. Van Bruggen’s win marks the first time a non-French chef has earned the title for best authentic fries.

Van Bruggen, a restaurateur with shops in Utrecht and Leiden, impressed the jury with his signature technique. He first boils organic potatoes in water with rosemary before frying them twice in vegetable oil. “I’m very happy with this prize,” Van Bruggen told French newspaper Franceinfo. “Chips are important where I come from.”

The other four categories were dominated by local and regional chefs. Four French competitors and one Belgian took home awards in “creative fries,” “family fries,” “chip sauce,” and “world fries.”