Morocco challenges Spain tonight to reclaim its world title… in couscous
World champion in 2024 before being dethroned by Portugal, Morocco is setting out once again to win the Cous Cous World Championship. Its representative, Badr Benjelloun, faces Spain this Thursday evening in Sicily.
The world competition begins this Thursday, 24 September, in San Vito Lo Capo. Eight teams are taking part: Morocco, Algeria, France, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Senegal and Cous Cous Fest United, a team bringing together Palestinian chef Shady Hasbun and Israeli chef Tze’ela Rubinstein.
Morocco’s first duel is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. at the Bia Theatre. Badr Benjelloun will face Spaniards Avelino Alfaro Serrano and José David Pardo Peiró. The public will be able to taste the two recipes and vote, alongside a technical jury made up of chefs, journalists and food specialists, notes the official Cous Cous Fest programme.
On Bladi.net : article 77585
The Moroccan representative has an unusual background. Originally from Casablanca, Badr Benjelloun first worked in new technologies and held technical director positions within international companies before leaving the sector to devote himself to cooking.
From technology to the World Couscous Championship
The chef lived in China for sixteen years. He opened CUJU in Beijing in 2012, followed by Caravan, a restaurant devoted to Moroccan cuisine, two years later. Based in Italy since 2020, he now runs Casbah del Moro in Catania, where he combines North African recipes, Mediterranean cuisine and influences brought back from his travels, according to his professional biography.
Badr Benjelloun is already familiar with the competition: he has reached the world championship final twice. Opposing him, the Spanish team will present “Marima de Valencia,” a recipe stemming from a family tradition linked to Valencians who went to live in Oran during the Spanish Civil War.
On Bladi.net : A Moroccan city on the global gastronomy podium
Morocco won the championship in 2024 thanks to Hanae Chaoui and Mourad Dakir. Portugal succeeded it in 2025. This year’s four qualifying duels are to decide between the eight teams before a three-way final scheduled for Saturday, 26 September, at 8 p.m. The result of the Morocco-Spain duel will be known tonight.
