Le Marquier writes the history of plancha in Belgium

An idea that became an event

It all started with a conviction: plancha cooking is no longer just a trend in Belgium, it has become a true way of life. At Le Marquier, we've believed this for a long time — and we wanted to prove it by giving this passion its very first major national event.

That's how the first Belgian Plancha Championship came to life, organised in partnership with the Univert store in Theux, under the leadership of its director, Joël Filot. His trust, his warm welcome and his involvement in organising the event were decisive in turning an idea into reality. A huge thank you to him and his entire team, whose commitment was felt throughout the day.

Nine duos, one shared passion

That Saturday, Theux became, for one day, the Belgian epicentre for grilling enthusiasts. Nine duos from Liège, Charleroi and the surrounding region competed to be the very first to put their name on the national leaderboard.

Two challenges structured the competition. First came the famous mystery box: contestants discovered a set of required ingredients — Belgian pork and beef, local mustards, pears or apples — before having to improvise a dish on the spot. Then came the pantry challenge, where each duo selected ten products to prepare a starter or a main course on a Le Marquier plancha.

"For a first edition, the enthusiasm was incredible!" says Philippe Mesuron, the day's host and a top-8 finalist on the "MasterChef" TV show in 2010. "The contestants gave it their all — some were stressed, but we quickly put them at ease, because at the end of the day, it's a championship meant to be fun!"

A jury worthy of the occasion

Creativity, originality, cleanliness of the workstation, presentation, taste: nothing escaped the eye of a top-quality jury gathered especially for the occasion. Around the table: Nathalie Franceschi, private chef and caterer, her colleague Anne, Alexandre Grosjean, a well-known cooking enthusiast in the region, Philippe Georges, demonstrator for Le Marquier, and Mathieu Vande Velde, Michelin-starred chef at Le Roannay.

Despite a particularly busy schedule, he was determined to attend: "What I enjoy is supporting this initiative and everything happening in our region. It was important for me to be there for all these people who put so much energy into showing up. It also leads to some wonderful encounters."

More than just a competition

Between the live demonstrations, expert advice and the suspense of the challenges, the many curious visitors got to discover the full world of plancha cooking in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

And that's really what we take away from this day above all: beyond the competition itself, it was the encounters and the exchanges that made the event so rich. Because building a brand and a market isn't just about talking about products. It's about being out in the field, listening to customers and partners, understanding their needs, staying responsive — and creating moments like this one, which make people want to build something together.

Off to Hossegor to represent Belgium
At the end of this wonderful day, the duo from Ministère des Bons Moments claimed the very first title of Belgian Plancha Champion. This win is more than just a line on a leaderboard: this duo will now represent Belgium at the Plancha World Championship, to be held on the first weekend of June 2027 in Hossegor, France.