51 Restaurants Make it to the Top 3 in 17 Categories of the Torchi Awards
Out of 220 restaurants registered in the third edition of this national street food competition, 51 have made it to the Top 3 in 17 categories. The organizers of the competition have unveiled the list of finalists ahead of the award ceremony, which will take place on November 29, 2025, in the seaside resort of Yasmine Hammamet.
The Competition
The competition features 17 categories, including:
- Brik
- Burger
- Chapati
- Chawarma
- Crêpes
- Fricassé
- Kafteji
- Lablabi
- Makloub
- Millefeuille
- Mlewi
- Ojja
- Italian Pasta
- Tunisian Pasta
- Pizza
- Pizza slices
- Tunisian dish
Representation by Governorate
Ten out of the 17 governorates represented in the 2025 edition have made it to the Top 3:
- Médenine
- Monastir
- Gabès
- Sfax
- Sousse
- Sidi Bouzid
- Nabeul
- Tunis
- Ariana
- Ben Arous
The governorates of Tunis and Ariana are the most represented, with 9 finalists each, followed by Médenine (8) and Ben Arous (7).
Quotes from the Jury and Organizers
According to Chef Ahlem Nguili, a member of the jury of experts, "This third edition is a true representation of Tunisia from north to south, with finalists from Sidi Bouzid, El Hamma, Gabès, Djerba, Zarzis, Sfax, Sousse, Cap Bon, and Greater Tunis. The goal of this competition is to highlight professionals in the culinary industry and reward their efforts, regardless of their geographical location."
Yamina Khalfet Bakir, CEO of Torchi Food Media, notes that "The Torchi Awards are more than just a national competition between restaurants; it's an opportunity for participants to receive advice and feedback from experienced professionals with international renown, in a spirit of transmission and sharing of knowledge."
The Jury's Evaluation Process
From October 5 to 28, a panel of expert judges, including:
- Chef Ahlem Nguili (Paris, France)
- Chef Bessem Ben Abdallah (Mandelieu-la-Napoule, France)
- Chef Aïmen Samhoud (Geneva, Switzerland)
- Chef Youssef Gastli (Paris, France)
- Chef Dhaker Béjaoui (Nice, France)
traveled across the country to evaluate the 328 dishes from the 220 registered restaurants, accounting for 70% of the overall score. The public vote, which took place from November 3 to 13, accounted for 30% of the score.
Conclusion
The president of the Torchi Awards, Yamina Khalfet Bakir, believes that "all 220 restaurants that participated in this third edition are winners, as the jury's evaluation process offers them free consulting, visibility on our communication channels, and the opportunity to challenge themselves and refine their business."
Chef Ahlem Nguili concludes that this competition is "a true human adventure" and a "moment of sharing" with the actors of street food in Tunisia. The award ceremony on November 29 promises to be a magical evening, filled with emotions.
