- By Charlotte Brown
- October 22, 2025
The International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) 2025 in Las Vegas once again proved why it’s the premier event for professionals shaping the future of baking.
Known as the largest grain-based food industry gathering in the Western Hemisphere, this year’s show was packed with innovation, education, and artistry. But one event stood out as a true celebration of global craftsmanship—the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie Americas Selection.
Over two exhilarating days, elite baking teams from across the Americas showcased their mastery of the craft. From the rhythmic scoring of baguettes to the delicate layers of viennoiserie, every movement reflected years of training and passion.
For Paris Gourmet, a proud partner of the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie, this event embodies the heart of our values: advancing the craft through innovation, excellence, and community.
The Winners: Team USA and Team Canada Rise to the Top
Two teams emerged victorious after two days of intense competition at IBIE 2025: Team Canada and Team USA.
Their exceptional performance earned them the honor of representing the Americas at the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie 2026, the prestigious World Cup of Baking, which will take place in Paris, France.
Competing against top-tier teams from Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, and North America, these bakers demonstrated technical excellence, extraordinary passion, and perseverance.
“Reaching the podium and winning at the Americas Selection in Vegas was a testament to pushing past exhaustion and doubt,” said Jason (Zhenkun) Wang of Team Canada. “This victory proves that hard work, passion, and self-belief can take you further than you ever imagined.”
Team USA Coach William Leaman echoed that sentiment, noting the emotional depth of the experience:
“These events are a true emotional journey for the bakers, who openly share the results of their hard work and preparation. It’s inspiring to see how each team responds to the challenges, especially after dedicating so much time and passion to their craft.”
Their wins highlight the immense skill and innovation within the North American baking community—a region that continues to shape global trends through creativity, precision, and collaboration.
Competition Highlights: Craft in Three Categories
The Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie Americas Selection tested each team’s ability to excel across three disciplines: Bakery, Viennoiserie, and Artistic Bread Showpiece.
1. Bakery
In the bakery category, teams demonstrated the depth of their knowledge and connection to the foundations of breadmaking.
- Focus on fermentation, shaping, and balance of flavor and texture
- Signature loaves blending regional inspiration with technical mastery
- Judges looked for consistency, structure, and creativity grounded in tradition
- Emerging trends: alternative grains, long fermentations, and sustainability-conscious baking
2. Viennoiserie
This category celebrates precision and finesse—where the smallest detail can define perfection.
- Masterful layering and lamination techniques showing true craftsmanship
- Pastries praised for their balance of butter, dough, and flavor
- Inventive pairings reimagining croissants, brioches, and puff pastries
- A blend of modern creativity with classic French technique
3. Artistic Bread Showpiece
Perhaps the most visually stunning event, this challenge elevated bread to the level of sculpture.
- Edible showpieces combining structure, balance, and artistic design
- Symbolic themes told through form, texture, and composition
- Impressive control of dough under complex conditions
- A celebration of baking as both art and science
Together, these categories reflected a shared pursuit: to honor tradition while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in baking.
Why Competitions Like the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie Matter
Beyond the excitement and recognition, events like the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie serve a deeper purpose. They celebrate the dedication of artisan bakers and help advance the craft on a global scale.
Fueling Global Collaboration
- Bakers from across continents exchange techniques, ingredients, and philosophies.
- Competitions foster lasting relationships that strengthen the international baking community.
- Exposure to different traditions broadens creative horizons and sparks new ideas.
Advancing Techniques and Innovation
- Each event becomes a testing ground for new methods, flavors, and technologies.
- Competitors push the limits of fermentation, flavor, and sustainability.
- The ideas born here influence bakery trends worldwide.
Inspiring the Next Generation
- These moments of excellence motivate young bakers to pursue mastery and innovation.
- They reinforce the importance of mentorship and discipline.
- Watching peers compete at this level reminds everyone that baking thrives on continual learning.
Paris Gourmet’s Partnership and Commitment
As a proud partner of the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie, Paris Gourmet celebrates the craft of baking alongside the world’s most dedicated artisans, educators, and innovators.
Our involvement reflects a shared mission: to elevate the standards of quality, technique, and creativity in the global baking industry.
Championing Culinary Excellence
- Paris Gourmet supports professional bakers and pastry chefs through premium ingredients, education, and events that inspire growth.
- The Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie embodies those same values: precision, artistry, and collaboration.
- This partnership nurtures the next generation of talent while honoring time-honored traditions.
Building a Global Community
- The competition connects chefs, suppliers, and educators from around the world.
- Our partnership fosters meaningful exchange and mentorship.
- Through shared innovation, Paris Gourmet helps advance the craft and strengthen the baking community.
Empowering Chefs to Succeed
- From the bakery to the competition floor, we provide the ingredients, tools, and knowledge chefs need to excel.
- Every partnership and product offering is designed to help culinary professionals achieve consistent, exceptional results.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Paris 2026
With their victories in Las Vegas, Team USA and Team Canada now advance to the world stage—the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie 2026, set for January 20–21, 2026, in Paris, France.
Often referred to as the “World Cup of Baking,” this elite competition brings together ten international teams, each composed of three bakers who will compete in the disciplines of baguettes, viennoiserie, artistic bread showpiece, and savory baking during the Sirha Bake & Snack trade exhibition.
What to Expect in Paris
- New techniques and global trends emerging from the world’s top artisan bakers
- Continued evolution in sustainability, flavor innovation, and design precision
- Inspiring displays of artistry that celebrate bread as both craft and culture
- A renewed focus on collaboration—sharing knowledge that transcends borders
For Paris Gourmet, the excitement is only beginning! As a dedicated partner of the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie, we’ll continue to celebrate and support the teams who embody the highest standards of baking excellence.
Follow Paris Gourmet for continued updates from the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie and insights into the artistry shaping the future of baking.