Ma Langue Sourit chef Théo Kopp secured the Western European title at the San Pellegrino Young Chef Academy competition, earning a spot in the world final in Milan in 2025.

Théo Kopp, a station chef at the double Michelin-starred Ma Langue Sourit restaurant in Moutfort, won the Western European category of the San Pellegrino Young Chef Academy competition on Monday evening. His victory has earned him a spot in the global final, set to take place in November 2025.

Just months after Paul Guénot's impressive performance at the Taittinger Prize in Paris, Théo Kopp, a 28-year-old chef from Metz, has further added to the accolades of Ma Langue Sourit in Moutfort. Kopp triumphed in the regional final for Western Europe of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy competition, which showcases chefs under 30. The event took place on 18 and 19 November at the Park Hotel in Vitznau, Switzerland, located on the shores of Lake Lucerne.

Kopp, under the guidance of Ma Langue Sourit owner Cyril Molard, prepared his signature dish: Potée Lorraine, featuring a selected piece of pork, kimchi, Mirabelle Plum, pig's ear, as well as a reduced pork and picon Mirabelle jus. The ten contestants from Switzerland, Belgium, and Luxembourg had five hours to prepare their dish.

In an interview on the competition's website, Kopp explained that his dish was inspired by the "Sunday meals" he shared with his grandparents in the department of Moselle in France, "a poor farmer's dish", made using "only local product and twist it with my favourite, Mirabelle Plum."

Kopp now moves on to the world final in Milan, where he will compete against 17 other young chefs.

Ma Langue Sourit has seen ongoing success in recent years, with staff members receiving accolades such as Éric Parachini's recognition as Maître d'hôtel of the Year 2023 and Paul Bungert's title of Pastry Chef of the Year 2024 by the Gault&Millau Luxembourg guide.