In Haute-Saône, the heatwave will not stop cheese lovers. In Larians-et-Munans, nine “big eaters” are preparing to line up to swallow pots of cancoillotte to the applause.
Sunday July 19, 2026, the US Larians-Munans Sports Festival will host the 3rd edition of the world championship for the biggest cancoillotte eater. In ten minutes, candidates must eat as many 250g pots as possible with a spoon. The record to beat is 11 pots.
A village competition that became a world championship
Organizer of the Sports Festival, Sébastien Gindro summarizes the evolution of the competition: , he confides to France 3 Franche-Comté.
To supervise the event, the team set strict rules. , confides Sébastien Gindro. , he says, all pre-screened on video to check that they eat quickly and cleanly from a spoon. The pots are supplied by the Marcillat cheese factory, based in Loulans-Verchamps.
Maximilien Reverchon, defending champion against the heat
2025 champion, Maximilien Reverchon arrived there by challenge. , he tells us at France 3 Franche-Comté. Last year, this sales technician gobbled up 7 and a half pots, or 1.825 kilos of cancoillotte, in ten minutes.
This year, the heatwave is changing the situation. , he admits, he who prefers very cold cheese. About the record holder with 11 pots, he smiles: .
IGP, buzz on the networks and Comté pride
Obtained in 2022, the Protected Geographical Indication gives cancoillotte a spotlight. Director of the Marcillat cheese factory, which supplies the pots for the competition, Pascal Rio observes the effect of the buzz: , he tells France 3 Franche-Comté. Sales have increased by 35% in eight years and production could reach 7,000 tonnes in 2026.
On Instagram, Instagrammers praise this processed cheese, rich in protein and relatively low in calories, the star of “healthy” recipes. The world cup of cancoillotte eaters adds a touch of self-deprecation to this notoriety. For Maximilien Reverchon, the pleasure is also to represent his territory: , he says.
Where does the championship take place?
In Larians-et-Munans, in Haute-Saône.
What are the main rules?
Nine candidates, ten minutes, 250 g pots.
What is the current record?
The official record is 11 pots.
