The global health crisis brought about by Covid-19 has forced the organizers of one of European’s most prestigious baking and culinary competitions to modify their selection process, organizers of Sirha 2021 announced June 10.

After the cancellation of the Americas and Asia Pacific selecting events for the Bocuse d’Or, as well as the cancellation of the Copa Maya-Latin America selecting event for the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie, the finalist countries have now been determined by a Bocuse d’Or Selecting Committee presided by Jérôme Bocuse, and by the I.O.C. presided by Pierre Hermé for the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie.

The selection process was based on the ranking of each country during the last continental events of 2018.
 
FINAL OF THE BOCUSE D’OR ON JANUARY 26-27, 2021:
Subject to confirmation of their participation

Americas:
1. USA
2. CANADA
3. ARGENTINA
4. BRAZIL
5. CHILE

Asia Pacific:
1. JAPAN
2. THAILAND
3. SOUTH KOREA
4. SINGAPOUR
5. AUSTRALIA

COUPE DU MONDE DE LA PATISSERIE ON JANUARY 24-25, 2021:
Subject to confirmation of their participation

Latin America: 
1. CHILE
2. ARGENTINA
3. MEXICO

The European Pastry Cup allowed the selection of three countries last January – Switzerland, Sweden and Russia – when three countries were already in the top three for the competition: France, Italy and Japan. The continental selecting events for Africa for both contests will take place on Oct. 24-25, 2020 in Marrakesh, Morocco. Several wild cards remain to be allocated and will be communicated later.

Marie-Odile Fondeur, manager of Gl events Food Service Division, addressed the stakes and issues facing Sirha in January 2021.
 
“From a structural and cultural point of view, we are all in the same boat and pull together. On March 14, when all restaurants were forced to close down in France, then in the following days when we had to reposition all of our trade fairs and events, the world of foodservice and the event management industry lost an essential aspect of its spirit: sharing with customers and visitors was no longer possible,” she said. “Yet, such exchanges are essential not only to the economy but also to develop ideas and enjoy the human experience we all need in our everyday life.”