Morocco faces Spain tonight at 20:30 at the Bia Theatre in San Vito Lo Capo during the opening duel of the Cous Cous Fest world championship. Moroccan representative Badr Benjelloun competes against Spanish chefs Avelino Alfaro Serrano and José David Pardo Peiró.
The Bottom Line
- The Opening Clash: Morocco’s Badr Benjelloun meets Spain’s team in the opening duel at 20:30 at the Bia Theatre.
- The Contenders: Eight international teams, including Algeria, France, Italy, and a joint Palestinian-Israeli formation, compete through Saturday.
- The Stakes: Qualification duels run through the week ahead of the grand finale scheduled for Saturday, September 26.
From Tech Director to Global Culinary Contender
The culinary world often draws unexpected talent from outside traditional professional pathways. Morocco’s representative for this year’s global championship, Badr Benjelloun, personifies that modern career shift. Originally from Casablanca, Benjelloun spent years working in the technology sector as a technical director for international enterprises before trading code for kitchens.
His culinary footprint stretches across continents. Benjelloun lived in sixteen years in China, opening CUJU in Beijing in 2012 and following it with Caravan, a restaurant dedicated to Moroccan cuisine, two years later. By 2020, he relocated to Italy, where he currently runs Casbah del Moro in Catania. At his Sicilian establishment, he blends North African recipes with broader Mediterranean flavors and techniques gathered during his international travels.
Benjelloun has previously competed twice in the final of the world championship, bringing seasoned competitive experience to tonight’s high-pressure arena.
The Battle on the Plate: Tradition Meets History
Tonight’s matchup at the Bia Theatre pits Moroccan technique directly against Spanish culinary heritage. The Spanish team arrives with “Marima de Valencia,” a recipe rooted in a family tradition connected to Valencians who moved to Oran during the Spanish Civil War. Public attendees and a technical jury of chefs, journalists, and food specialists will taste both dishes and cast their votes to determine the winner.
The global competition brings together eight distinct teams this week in San Vito Lo Capo. Alongside Morocco and Spain, the roster includes Algeria, France, Italy, Brazil, Senegal, and Cous Cous Fest United—a collaborative team featuring Palestinian chef Shady Hasbun and Israeli chef Tze’ela Rubinstein.
The Road to the Crown
Four qualification duels take place to separate the eight competing national and regional squads before the tournament narrows down to a three-way final scheduled for Saturday, September 26.
| Event / Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Edition Start | Thursday, September 24, in San Vito Lo Capo |
| Opening Duel | Morocco (Badr Benjelloun) vs. Spain (Avelino Alfaro Serrano & José David Pardo Peiró) |
| Recent Champions | Morocco won in 2024 (Hanae Chaoui & Mourad Dakir); Portugal succeeded them in 2025 |
| Grand Finale | Three-team final scheduled for Saturday, September 26 |
Morocco holds a formidable record in this arena, having captured the global title in 2024 thanks to chefs Hanae Chaoui and Mourad Dakir. Portugal claimed the crown in the subsequent 2025 competition.
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