The manager of Friterie d’Anvers in Hyères finished fourth in the World French Fry Championship held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in Arras. For Ayla Van Graas, this first participation ended without the title she hoped for, but with the desire to try again. Her journey highlights a Var-based establishment that champions a family recipe inspired by Belgian tradition.
A first participation with the ambition to win
Twenty-seven-year-old Ayla Van Graas runs the Friterie d’Anvers in Hyères, Var. According to the story published by Actu Toulon on September 28, she discovered the existence of the competition about six months before registering, encouraged by compliments from customers from Northern France and Belgium.
The competition took place on the Grand’Place in Arras, Pas-de-Calais. Organized by Arras Pays d’Artois Tourisme, the event brought together contestants in several categories, all focused on homemade fresh fries. ( arraspaysdartois.com )
The woman from Hyères had hoped to take first place. She ultimately finished fourth, a result she welcomes with pride, but also with a disappointment she doesn’t hide. She explains that she chose to present the fries usually served in her establishment, rather than creating an entirely new dish for the competition.
A family recipe championed in Hyères
The Friterie d’Anvers was founded by Ayla’s mother, who passed on a family recipe inherited from her own mother. Ayla has worked at the establishment since she was a teenager and took over its management three years ago, according to the Actu Toulon article.
The method relies in particular on double frying in beef fat, with a resting period between the two baths. For the competition, the preparation required some adjustments: the fryer in Arras differed from the one used in Hyères, and the potato variety initially planned was unsuitable during the trials. She ultimately used a different variety.
The judges reportedly gave her positive feedback on the taste of her fries. However, the manager is keeping the additional ingredient she claims to have added for the competition a secret.
The next stage is being prepared in the Var region.
This fourth-place finish doesn’t mark the end of the road: Ayla Van Graas is already planning to participate in a future edition and take more risks in her preparation. No date for the next competition is specified in the available information.
For the residents of Hyères, the main issue is that of a local establishment that intends to continue offering the recipe presented in Arras on a daily basis. Participation was also a family affair: the manager’s mother, who founded the chip shop, was present in the North with relatives who had come from Belgium.
Source: Toulon News – Local News – actu.fr
Original article: See the original source
