Paris Awaits: Sneak Peek of the 2025 World Butchers' Challenge
This month, I had the absolute pleasure of visiting our 2025 WBC hosts in Paris. I’m bursting to tell you all about it and can't wait for the best butchers in the world to experience what I did and more next March.
Having flown to London, we took the Eurostar across to France, which was fast, easy and for a nervous flyer like me, thankfully it eliminated the need for another airport...Taking into account the 24 hour journey we’d just completed from Sydney to London. Hot tip #1: Navigating the Paris metro with many large bags (and a stroller) is difficult, as there’s no lifts. Taxi all day. Every day. But… It made for some great content.
We arrived right outside our WBC arena and hotel, Mama Shelter, and found the metro user-friendly once we were luggage-free. Our arena, Hall 6 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, is an impressive space in the heart of Paris. The arena is easily accessible from various parts of the city, and nearby hotel options are abundant. We recommend booking one of these hotels when our rates become available in late July (watch this space). The arena accommodates all 15 teams competing simultaneously, with spectators watching from grandstands surrounding the competition floor. The same setup applies for our 17 Butcher Apprentice and 25 Young Butcher competitors the day before. Hot tip #2: Keep an eye on the weightlifting and indoor volleyball at the Olympics which are both held at the complex, the weightlifting is in Hall 6.
For those watching the competition, or taking care of competitors on the day, there is an Italian restaurant and coffee shop inside the arena space. There are a number of cafes, restaurants and small supermarkets just outside the arena as well. The competition will be livestreamed from multiple vantage points which will also be projected onto huge screens across the arena.
Our WBC teams and supporters are in for a real treat for the Gala Dinner, to be held on April 1, at Paris’s oldest cabaret, Paradis Latin. The theater was built in 1802 but was destroyed in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian war. In 1889, it was reconstructed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel, the same year he completed the Eiffel Tower. From Brigitte Bardot and Audrey Hepburn to David Beckham and Brad Pitt, the theatre continues to attract high profile stars such as those in the WBC! The show itself was spectacular and at our Gala Dinner the cast will dazzle and wow as the show will be built into the evening. We expect this Parisian flair to make it one of the most unique and special awards ceremonies we’ve ever held. Hot tip #3: Tickets for the Gala Dinner go on-sale July 31.
WBCs of old were preceded by a study tour like this, designed for networking and showcasing of local practices and traditions. In Sacramento, we had to forego a study tour due to COVID but we’re so pumped that we have the opportunity to start this up again.
Here’s an insight to our 2025 WBC Study Tour itinerary:
Tuesday 25th March
Our first meet-up - a casual welcome to all at an early evening welcome drinks close by the arena.
Wednesday 26th March
We’ll take a high-speed train to Bourg-En-Bresse in the Burgundy Region. The day kicks off with a visit to a Limousine and Charolais farm, followed by a tour of the Bigard processing plant. We’ll have a one of a kind lunch at the Bourg-en-Bresse Rugby Club, where we’ll taste some Burgundy wine and of course a ‘meaty’ lunch while we watch the local club’s players training on the pitch.
The day will end with a truly amazing dinner at Train Le Bleu, located in the iconic Gare De Lyon. The experience is unforgettable, with an impressive ceiling and interior, and top-notch service that captures the essence of Paris.
Thursday 27th March
An early wake up call this morning as we visit the Rungis International Market, a once in a lifetime experience for anyone passionate about food, culture, and culinary excellence. As the largest wholesale food market in the world, Rungis offers a unique glimpse into the heart of France's gastronomic heritage. We’ll be guided through the bustling aisles and taken behind the scenes of not just meat but the produce, cheese and dairy markets too. It's a vibrant ecosystem where chefs, restaurateurs, and food lovers converge to check out the highest quality ingredients. Hot tip #4: Dress warm! It was really cold on this day for us and we were there in Summer.
I had one of the heartiest and most memorable breakfasts ever at the famous restaurant inside the market, Le Quercy (oysters and white wine pre 8am?!) which is another highlight of this day.
No WBC study tour would be complete without a tour of the local butcher shops and our hosts have selected a handful of iconic Parisian boucheries for us to wander around in the afternoon. Hot tip #5: After a quick kip/nap/siesta.
We’ll end this day with a real bang as we have the official WBC Team and VIP Cocktail Welcome evening at a landmark building, the Hôtel de Ville - the city hall of Paris. Our teams will attend in full uniform ahead of the competition days and both national and international media will be in attendance to cover the first gathering of all 2025 competitors.
Friday 28th March
On Friday morning, we’ll visit the French butchery school - Ecole Nationale of Meat Trades (ENSMV) - which is the heart of the French training programme. Having already visited the school this month, there is a ton of learning and best practice which can be extracted from this visit. From their virtual reality software (the first of its kind within the food space) to the on-site restaurant and kitchen, I can guarantee you’ll take away plenty from this morning.
The day ends with our first glimpse inside the competition arena. All teams are invited for a tour of the space and will be able to unpack their equipment in their designated spot in the preparation zone.
Study Tour spots are limited and open to butchers and industry professionals in addition to competitors. For more information on attending, including costs, please contact us here.
Not super familiar with the WBC or the WCBA&YB, check out the rules here.
And give us a shout with any questions. We would LOVE to see you in Paris - À bientôt!
~ Ashley Gray, CEO, WBC