In New Orleans, a city where jazz melodies and the enticing aromas of Creole cuisine create a sensory symphony, preparations are underway for the highly anticipated return of the Americas Continental Selection of the Pastry World Cup in 2026. After its dazzling debut in 2024, this vibrant cultural and culinary destination is set to welcome the competition once more, with excitement and anticipation reaching new heights as the event approaches.
The announcement of New Orleans’ encore as host was made by GL Events, the competition’s esteemed organizers for over 35 years, during the conclusion of the 2025 Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie in Lyon. The news, shared amidst a global gathering of pastry professionals celebrating creativity and excellence, reaffirmed the city’s reputation as an ideal stage for showcasing world-class talent. Known for its rich cultural heritage, culinary innovation, and unparalleled hospitality, New Orleans promises another unforgettable chapter in the history of this prestigious event.
For Club Coupe du Monde Team USA, the 2026 competition holds particular significance. The team, a cornerstone of American pastry excellence, is not only competing for one of the coveted spots in the Grand Finale in Lyon but also proudly hosting their pastry peers from across the Americas. With a tradition of fostering innovation and honoring the art and science of pastry, Team USA is ready to showcase their talents and welcome their fellow pastry professionals with open arms.
Before heading to the Americas Selection, Team USA will select its members at the USA National Selection, scheduled for the fall of 2025. This event will determine which chefs will represent the United States in New Orleans and on the world stage. Further details about this event will be shared soon on this website and the team’s social media outlets (@pastryteamusa).
Chef Nathaniel Reid
Nathaniel Reid, Vice President of Club Coupe du Monde Team USA and owner of Nathaniel Reid Bakery in Missouri, expressed the team’s enthusiasm for both competing and hosting. “New Orleans is the perfect stage for this celebration of pastry artistry,” Reid said. “It’s an honor to compete alongside such incredible talent and to welcome our fellow chefs from the Americas to experience the culinary and cultural richness of this city.”
2024 Americas Continental Selection New Orleans
The inaugural Americas Selection in 2024 was a milestone event, bringing together six nations from North, Central, and South America to compete for spots in Lyon. Held in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the competition was a resounding success, with Argentina taking first place, followed by Paraguay and Colombia. Chile and Mexico secured wild card entries, underscoring the incredible depth of talent across the Americas. For Team USA, the 2026 edition represents not just a competition, but also a chance to build on that legacy while reinforcing their commitment to excellence and camaraderie.
2024 Americas Continental Selection New Orleans Plated Dessert Judges
New Orleans, perched on the Mississippi River, is the ideal backdrop for such an international showcase. Renowned for its music, architecture, and festivals, the city is equally famous for its gastronomy, which blends French, Spanish, and African influences. Pastry enthusiasts will recognize the city’s signature treats, from warm beignets dusted with powdered sugar to decadent pralines. This culinary heritage complements the artistry and innovation that define the competition.
Chef Pierre Hermé
“The United States is one of the world’s most important pastry place where many of the desserts that have become popular and popular and consumed the world over, such as cookies, brownies, cheesecakes and pecan pie, the classic of Louisiana gastronomy,” states Chef Pierre Hermé, President of the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie. “To be able to count on the hospitality of The New Orleans is a privilege, but also an opportunity to showcase the diverse culinary heritage of the entire region.”
Chef En-Ming Hsu
For Club Coupe du Monde Team USA, the upcoming Americas Selection is about more than competing—it’s about fostering connections and celebrating the shared passion for pastry that unites chefs across borders. “The pastry community in the Americas is strong, and this competition is a chance to strengthen those bonds while pushing the boundaries of what we can create,” said Chef En-Ming Hsu, Alumni and Public Affairs Co-President and co-founder of Sip! Extraordinary Drinking Chocolate. “We’re not just here to compete. We’re here to learn from one another, to inspire, and to grow.”
Americas Continental Selection – New Orleans 2024
The format of the competition remains as demanding as ever, rigorously testing each team’s technical skills, artistic creativity, and ability to perform under pressure. While the exact details for the 2026 Americas Selection have not yet been announced, the competition typically challenges a chocolate and sugar candidate to work collaboratively within a set time frame—in 2024, it was 5 hours and 30 minutes—to produce a series of tasting desserts, two artistic showpieces, and a buffet presentation. The judges evaluate not only the flavors and textures of the creations but also their visual impact, thematic consistency, and level of innovation.
As the competition draws nearer, the streets of New Orleans will buzz with anticipation. Pastry chefs, judges, and enthusiasts will descend upon the city, adding their energy to the city’s already vibrant rhythm. For Team USA, it’s a chance to show the world not only their culinary prowess but also their commitment to fostering a spirit of collaboration and excellence.
“Hosting the Americas Continental Selection is an honor and a privilege,” said Chef Stéphane Chéramy, President of Club Coupe du Monde Team USA. “We’re proud to welcome our fellow pastry professionals to New Orleans and to celebrate the incredible talent and creativity that exists across the Americas. Together, we’ll make this a competition to remember.”
As the spotlight turns to New Orleans in 2026, the competition promises to be a showcase of skill, artistry, and passion. For Team USA and their counterparts from across the continent, it’s not just about winning—it’s about celebrating the unifying power of pastry, the joy of creation, and the enduring bonds of a shared craft.
