The world's largest raclette: Valais sets a new record in Martigny
Saturday, April 5, 2025, will go down in the culinary history of Valais and Switzerland. Martigny hosted the world's largest raclette , an exceptional event that brought together 4,893 participants and shattered previous French records. This feat, organized by MyExpo, was a celebration of Valais heritage and its PDO raclette.
A world record for real raclette validated
With 4,893 guests , Valais surpassed the records set by Saint-Étienne in France (2,236 participants in 2024 and 2,522 in March 2025). This record was validated by a notary present on site, officially marking this monumental feat.
To serve this impressive crowd, no fewer than 361 volunteer scrapers were mobilized. They demonstrated their expertise by scraping the cheese directly from the wheel, using the traditional method, contrasting with French "raclonettes" which use pre-cut slices.
A titanic organization with 4,893 guests
The organization of this event required impressive logistics:
- 2037 kilos of Raclette du Valais AOP cheese
- 1,200 kilos of potatoes (1.2 tonnes of potatoes)
- 1212 jars of pickles and onions
-
1,500 bottles of wine to accompany this feast.
Every detail has been carefully considered to showcase local produce and respect Valais traditions. Unlike French versions, which are often accompanied by charcuterie, Valais raclette focuses on the essentials: melted cheese, potatoes, pickles, and onions.
A memorable popular festival
The event was much more than just a record attempt. Participants enjoyed a festive evening featuring entertainment, stalls showcasing regional products, and a friendly atmosphere. Eddy Baillifard, ambassador for Valais Raclette AOP and a key figure in the project, hailed it as "a phenomenal success" and "a vibrant tribute to Valais' culinary heritage."
Samuel Bonvin, director of the event, also emphasized that this evening aimed to promote the authenticity and excellence of Valais AOP cheese: "We didn't just break a record, we celebrated a vibrant culture and the richness of our terroir."
A response to French records in the Loire established with raclonnette and charcuterie
In March 2024, Saint-Étienne, in the Loire region of France, hosted the world's largest raclette , Chicandier, with 2,236 participants. The event featured over 600 kg of cheese and a ton of potatoes. However, this performance was criticized in Switzerland for its lack of authenticity: the candle-melted cheese and the addition of charcuterie were dubbed "raclonette" by Eddy Baillifard, ambassador of Raclette Valais AOP.
Why is Valais unrivaled when it comes to raclette?
Valais proudly claims its status as the birthplace of raclette thanks to its unique terroir and ancestral know-how. Raclette du Valais AOP cheese is made using traditional methods that guarantee its exceptional quality. This commitment to tradition sets Valais apart from other regions that attempt to imitate this specialty.
With this event, the world's largest raclette , Valais wants to send a clear message: not only does it have the best raclettes in the world, but it is also capable of organizing spectacular events that celebrate this culinary richness. The goal is also to draw international attention to Valais expertise and to enter this world record in the famous Guinness Book of Records. The goal, of course, is to beat the current world record.
How did bookings go for this event?
Reservations for the event "The Largest Raclette of the World" at Martigny, scheduled for April 5, 2025, was a resounding success. Tickets, which went on sale via the QoQa platform on February 11, 2025, were snapped up as soon as they became available . In less than an hour, all 4,000 available seats were sold, demonstrating the massive enthusiasm for this iconic event.
Not listed in the Guinness Book of Records
Although this record is official, it will not be entered into the Guinness Book of World Records due to the high costs associated with this endeavor. However, for Eddy Baillifard and the organizers, this matters little: "We know we are the best, and that's all that matters."
With this historic feat, Valais not only reclaimed its culinary throne but also demonstrated its ability to break records by organizing spectacular events celebrating its unique heritage. One thing is certain: the whole world will remember that the real raclette is found in Switzerland.
