Michelin Star Chef Pascal Aussignac Clinches 2023 World Vegetarian Championship

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Posted Nov 17, 2023

Michelin Star Chef Pascal Aussignac Clinches 2023 World Vegetarian Championship

In a culinary triumph that has reverberated across the globe, Michelin Star Chef Pascal Aussignac from London, United Kingdom, has emerged victorious at the 2023 World Vegetarian Championship, held at the prestigious World Food Championships in Dallas, Texas.

Aussignac, renowned for his innovative approach to gastronomy, dazzled the judges with his culinary finesse and creativity, showcasing the limitless possibilities of vegetarian cuisine. The annual competition brings together the world's top chefs and award-winning cooks to vie for top honors in twelve categories. But one of this year's highlights involved the vegetarian segment, where the global trend of plant-based eating was featured.

The competition unfolded under the Texan sun, with chefs from diverse culinary backgrounds converging to demonstrate their mastery of vegetarian cooking in a “signature” round of dishes. Aussignac's created a lovely dish entitled “Festive Truffled Egg In The Nest,” which earned him a birth in the finals with a 96.25 (out of 100) score based on Execution, Appearance and Taste (E.A.T.) One of the judges called it a “symphony of colors and flavors that captivated the eyes and the palate.”

Aussignac's journey to victory was then marked by his Final Round dish, which he titled “Aromatic Cashew Faux Gras, Morels & Floral Textures.” His innovative use of ingredients and techniques challenged traditional notions of plant-based cooking, proving that vegetarian dishes can be just as sophisticated and indulgent as their meat-centric counterparts. His final score of 97.875 barely edged out a former WFC Champion, Lidia Haddadian, of California.

The London-based chef's commitment to his craft extends beyond the kitchen, as he actively promotes sustainability and ethical sourcing in the culinary world. Aussignac's win at the World Vegetarian Championship is not only a personal triumph but also a victory for the growing movement advocating for more sustainable and plant-forward dining options.

"Vegetarian cooking is not just about abstaining from meat; it's about embracing the incredible diversity of plant-based ingredients and creating dishes that are a celebration of nature's bounty," Aussignac remarked as he reflected on his win.

The 2023 World Vegetarian Championship title adds another illustrious accolade to Pascal Aussignac's already impressive career. As a Michelin Star Chef, he has consistently pushed the boundaries of culinary innovation, earning acclaim for his commitment to excellence and his ability to craft memorable dining experiences.

Aussignac has now returned to London, where he will begin prepping for WFC’s next Final Table. Scheduled for May of 2024, the event’s Grand Prize will now earn the ultimate champion an additional $150,000 on top of the $10,000 prize purse that was won in each category.

The twelve winning champions at WFC 2023 included:

• World Barbecue Championship – Al Lino (Rio Smoke) from Texas

• World Bacon Championship – Jean Paul Lavallee (The Bacon Whisperer) from Mississippi

• World Burger Championship – Richard Joannes (Team Burger France) from France

• World Chef Championship – Robert Rose (Vin Alegro) from California

• World Dessert Championship – Bethany Boedicker (Whisky Business) from Texas

• World Live Fire Championship – Lee Hickel (Team Airforce) from Texas

• World Mixology Championship – George Kaiho from Texas

• World Rice & Noodle Championship – Dan Reighn (Team Purple Reign) from California

• World Sandwich Championship – Damon Holter (Team Croix Valley) from Minnesota

• World Seafood Championship – John McFadden (Team McFadden) from Australia

• World Soup Championship – Randall Lockhart (Team Coast Guard) from Maryland

• World Vegetarian Championship – Pascal Aussignac (Club Gascon London) from London

About WFC

The World Food Championships (WFC) is owned by WFC Holdings, a collaboration of investors including IMG. The event is the highest stakes Food Sport competition in the world. This multi-day, live event culinary competition showcases some of the world's best chefs, teams and cooks who compete for food, fame and fortune in 12 categories (Bacon, Barbecue, Burger, Chef, Cocktail, Dessert, Live Fire, Rice/Noodle, Sandwich, Seafood, Soup and Vegetarian). Each year as Food Sport kicks off in January, thousands of cook teams try to earn their way into WFC by winning a Golden Ticket at an official qualifier. With a prize purse of almost $500,000, the event attracts talented cooks from almost 40 countries and every state in America. WFC’s main event has been featured in dozens of tv shows and awarded more than $3 million in prize money since its inception in 2012.

About IMG

IMG is a global leader in sports, events and media. It is a leader in rights management, multi-channel content production and distribution, consultancy and fan engagement; owns, produces and commercially represents hundreds of live events and experiences; and manages licensing programs for the world’s best-known brands and trademarks. IMG is a subsidiary of Endeavor, a global sports and entertainment company.

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Michelin Star Chef Pascal Aussignac Clinches 2023 World Vegetarian Championship

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