Text: Marco Polisson – The first international exhibition dedicated to catering, food and hospitality opened its doors at Eurexpo in a very complicated context for players in the sector. Who can't wait to rediscover, for 5 days, the taste for business… and partying.
Thursday January 23, 2025 – 10:45 a.m., at the entrance to Eurexpo. In 15 minutes, the teams of GL events will begin the inaugural ceremony of SIRHA. Around a hundred personalities made the trip. There is electricity in the air. And signs that are unmistakable.
Like the fact thatOlivier Ginoninviting power, have a winking eye when greeting your guests, and mentally noting those present and those absent.
Like the fact that Jérôme Bocuse puts on a show in front of the photographers, despite the jet lag.
Like the fact that decision-makers giggle when they learn that Bruno Bernardenvironmentalist president of the Metropolis, is stuck in traffic jams…
Like the fact that the Toques Blanches Lyonnaises chefs – stars of the show – lined up like on parade behind their president Christophe Marguinbe dissipated like teenagers.
Advisors, hostesses and collaborators are on hand, the parade of the first world gastronomy fair can begin.
A minute of applause for Renée Richard
From the speeches given in the patio, we will especially remember the tribute orchestrated by Olivier Ginon in memory of Renee Richardemblematic figure of the Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, suddenly disappeared on Sunday January 19, 2025and the minute of applause that followed. Total consensus around “the one who enchanted us with her Saint Marcellin and whose kindness is unanimously recognized”.
We will spare you the usual banalities heard in such circumstances (and their authors, out of Christian charity). The procession finally sets off. A scent of excitement in the air, endless aisles crowded with visitors and exhibitors, this is indeed the atmosphere of a successful SIRHA inauguration.
Luc Dubanchetdirector of SIRHA, displays a broad smile despite the stress: the show is off to a good start with an 18% increase in pre-registration for visitors and 250 more exhibitors, compared to 2023 (4,700 in total). “210,000 qualified professionals from around the world come together for 5 days around the desire to generate business.”
National and international gastronomy in all its excellence
It will take us more than an hour and a half of wandering around, punctuated by numerous pit stops, to get an idea of the scale of the show. All the leaders in the catering and associated services sector are present on 140,000 m2, spread over 7 halls.
It's huge: the entire Eurexpo site is dedicated to gastronomy, 140 countries represented. An international crossroads, in the middle of which the presence of Saudi Arabia does not go unnoticed. 616 new products and innovations will be presented during the show which does not forget to think: 80 masterclasses, competitions and round tables will make the sector think.
Among the most imposing stands, that of the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region, led by Stephanie Pernod (above with Anne-Marie Baezner) impresses with the number of regional companies represented. At the height of the first gastronomic region in France. “This event highlights all of the region’s terroirs, from Ain to Cantal,” underlined the first vice-president. The president Fabrice Pannekoucke is, for its part, expected on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the show.
-The Lyon actors are not left out with the presence of Bobosse, AC/DC, Murgier, FCH, Ecotel, Jacoulot, Duboeuf, Maisons et Domaines… which represents Maison Guigal at the entrance to the VIP village, the nerve center of the show and the place to be for 5 days, with direct access to the competition arena (Mondial des caterers, World Pastry Cup, and Bocuse Gold).
A much more sober VIP village than in previous years (but special mentions to the Master Bourgeat and Pommery stands (above), in tune with the current situation which favors know-how and knowing how to be flashy. This is also the intelligence of SIRHA: adapting to the times without renouncing its fundamentals: gastronomy, business and celebration.
> The complete program of events is accessible ici : https://www.sirha-lyon.com/fr/programme
> Here is the program of the main festivities
Inauguration of Sirha Lyon – Eurexpo (Chassieu)
Thursday January 23, 2025 at 11 a.m. (by invitation)
On the program: speeches from the organizers and institutions, then stroll through the aisles of the show. Lunch at the Village orchestrated by Mathieu Viannay, Frédéric Berthod and Joseph Viola (and their pâté en croute, as a starter). Then the dishes of Jean-François Têtedoie and Florent Poulard, assisted by Maison Pignol (below)
Sirha Lyon Evening – La Sucrière (Lyon 2)
Friday January 24, 2025 from 8 p.m. (by invitation)
On the program: Food stations run by exceptional chefs: Albane Auvray, Jean Covillault, Carla Kirsch, Hugo Riboulet and others…
+ 3 DJs selected by Radio Muraato to vibrate
+ Photobooth space to immortalize your memories
Closing evening of the World Pastry Cup – La Sucrière (Lyon 2)
Saturday January 25, 2025 from 8 p.m. (by invitation)
On the program: presentation of the winners + Line up of exceptional chefs: Frédéric Bellot & Jérémie Crauser, Grégory Cuilleron & Romain Tischenko, Gauthier and Maxime Dorner & Romain Hubert, Louis Fargeton & Alban Jarilot, Hervé Mons, Damien Sibert,
+ DJs selected by Radio Muraato
Dinner of the Great Chefs – Hôtel du Département du Rhône (Lyon 3)
Sunday January 26, 2026 from 7 p.m. (by invitation)
Organized by Olivier Ginon, this prestigious dinner will bring together 300 distinguished guests in the guest rooms. At the piano, conductor Mathieu Viannay (La Mère Brazier) assisted by Gérald Passedat, Olivier Nasti and Fabien Ferré.
Closing evening Bocuse d’Or – La Sucrière (Lyon 2)
Monday January 27, 2025 from 8 p.m. (by invitation)
On the program: presentation of the finalist chefs + Line up of exceptional chefs: Thomas Belval & Baptiste Pignol, Fanny Duranton & Jade Dumoullin, Guillaume Flochon & Clément Mariller, Matthieu Hervé & Florent Poulard, Maxime Laurenson & Pierre-Michaël Martin, Hervé Mons, Floriant Rémont & Adrien Zedda, Damien Sibert and his team, Jean-François Têtedoie & Gaëtan Gentil.
+ DJs selected by Radio Muraato
