Food Contest Nice 2026: Steeve Bonnet launches an innovative pizza competition at Château de Crémat

On Tuesday, May 19, the city of Nice will host the launch of the first-ever Food Contest Nice 2026, an innovative culinary competition dedicated entirely to pizza. The event will take place in the prestigious setting of the Château de Crémat, located in the hills of Bellet, and aims to become a new reference in the French gastronomic scene.

The project is led by Niçois master pizzaiolo Steeve Bonnet, founder of L’Authentique Pizza, alongside his partner Sabrina Gamard. The initiative reflects his ambition to elevate pizza-making as a true culinary craft based on technique, creativity, and high-quality ingredients.

A new concept redefining pizza competitions in France

The Food Contest introduces a unique format designed to blend gastronomy, entertainment, and digital culture. Four teams will compete against each other, each composed of a lifestyle content creator, a food influencer, a professional pizzaiolo, and a Michelin-starred chef.

Unlike traditional competitions, teams will be formed on the day of the event by Steeve Bonnet himself, adding a surprise element and increasing the competitive intensity.

Participants include well-known influencers from the French Riviera such as Jeremy Brun, Alexia Brun, Marine, Jérémy, Tom, Solène, Audrey Coste, and Mathilda, alongside recognized chefs and pizza champions including Justin Schmitt (Château Eza), Kevin Vernet (France Pizza Champion 2025), and Bruno Saimpaul (France Pizza Champion 2019–2020).

A high-level jury evaluating creativity, technique, and taste

The competition will be judged by a three-member expert jury composed of:

• Joël Garault, former Michelin-starred chef from the Hermitage in Monaco
• Leslie Dasc, content creator
• Aymeric Isaert, culinary advisor at Galbani Professionale

Teams will have 1 hour and 30 minutes to prepare their pizza using pre-made dough prepared by Steeve Bonnet, along with a selection of premium ingredients.

The evaluation criteria will include taste, cooking quality, technical mastery, visual presentation, and creativity, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of each creation.

Prizes, live streaming, and digital engagement

The winning team will receive a complete set of Ooni pizza ovens, while second place will be awarded professional knives by Couteauxduchef.com. All participants will receive a commemorative apron and a bottle of wine from Château de Crémat.

The event will be held behind closed doors but will be broadcast live on Instagram via the official account Instagram @foodcontest.off from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, hosted by Steeve Bonnet and content creator Martial Blin, winner of the 2025 TikTok Food Creator Award.

A new gastronomic event designed for long-term growth

The Food Contest is not a one-off event but the beginning of a long-term project. Organizers have already announced plans for a second edition in 2027, with the ambition of opening the event to the public and expanding it into a larger immersive food experience with stands and live activations.

Steeve Bonnet: from bakery roots to national pizza champion

Founder of L’Authentique Pizza, Steeve Bonnet has established himself as one of the leading pizzaiolos in Nice. Son of a baker, he transitioned from business management to culinary arts, ultimately dedicating his career to pizza craftsmanship.

He opened his first restaurant in Nice in 2016 and has since expanded his brand across multiple locations. His philosophy emphasizes fresh, seasonal, and high-quality ingredients sourced from local producers and Italy.

His career highlights include winning the France Pizza a Due Championship in 2023 and ranking among the top competitors at the World Pizza Championships in 2024.