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USA Wins the 30th Bocuse d’Or

USA Wins the 30th Bocuse d’Or

Thirty years ago in 1987, Paul Bocuse created what is considered to be the most prestigious cooking competition in the world. There are twenty-four countries that are fortunate to make it to participate in the grand finale of the Bocuse d’Or, which is at the heart of the Sirha trade exhibition.

These young chefs are some of the most promising in the world and experiencing two days of intense competition. They had to first earn their qualifications via various continental events (Bocuse d’Or Europe, Bocuse d’Or Asia Pacific and Bocuse d’Or Latin America), individual qualifications, or attributed one of the wildcards.  This assures the final test will be revealing the best talent culinary worldwide.

Remise_des_Prix_Bocuse_d_Or_2017_credit_DIPH_PHOTOGRAPHY_(14)

Credit DIPH PHOTOGRAPHY

Providing a little background on Bocuse d’Or is important to me, as Luxe Beat Magazine’s French Master Chef Advisor, Hervé Laurent, was responsible for introducing me to this event and finally convincing me to attend in 2009. I was hooked and amazed at the talent I saw.

Somewhere around 2007, Paul Bocuse met with Thomas Keller and enlisted his help in getting American chefs involved. He felt there was so much talent that was untapped and could benefit in Bocuse d’Or. Keller agreed.

GLS

USA, vegetal

In 2009 and 2011 when I attended with Hervé and Brenda Hill, I did quite a bit of interviewing and discovered which teams were doing how much preparing and practicing the year before the competition. Team USA was not up to most of the other countries placing sixth and certainly not up to the winners. They tried hard, but the passion and support was not there that has evolved. I personally believe the ment’or (inspiring Culinary Excellence) program has helped. However, that changed for 2015 when Team USA won the silver and it was exciting for Sherrie Wilkolaski and me to be watching with bated breath. And, needless to say, the crowd went wild in 2017 for the well-deserved fete.

Bocuse d’Or is a Culinary Olympics and for 2017 Team USA got the Gold.  It is a “Theme on a Tray.” Each chef has five hours and thirty-five minutes, not a second more to prepare a recipe that using the imposed main product. These products are presented “a la francaise” on a tray.

USA-Bresse-chicken-and-shellfish-©Le-Fotographe-.jpg

USA-Bresse chicken and shellfish

A surprise was in store for 2017. “As for the presentation on a tray, the Bocuse d’Or will proudly state its Lyon and French identity. To celebrate its 30 years of xistence the participants will work with ‘Bresse chicken and shellfish’ based on an interpretation of the famous Lyon recipe for ‘Chicken and crayfish’.

“For its 30th anniversary in keeping with its passionate and attentive quest to reflect modern cooking in line with its times, Bocuse d’Or places the emphasis on vegetal. For the dish on a plate participants in the 2017 grand finale will be required to prepare a creation that is 100% vegetal, composed exclusively of fruits, vegetables, cereals, seeds or legumes.

USA Theme on tray

USA Theme on tray

Here are the results directly from Bocuse d’Or:

Bocuse d’Or: USA

In first place, Mathew Peters, from restaurant Per Se (New York) representing United States won the Bocuse d’Or and 20,000 euros in prize money.

United States now total 2 podiums. After Years of relentless quest, Team USA wins a well-deserved 1st place, after 2nd place reach in 2015.

Silver Bocuse: Norway

In second place, William Davidsen, chef of 3 restaurants (Trondheim) representing Norway, won the Silver Bocuse and 15,000 euros in prize money.

Norway now has a history of 10 podiums including 5 Bocuse d’Or. The country confirms in incredible regularity in the first places and takes once again its cuisine to the highest level on the international scene.

Bronze Bocuse: Iceland

In third place, Viktor Andrésson, chef au restaurant Grillio du Radisson Blu Saga (Reykjavik) won the Bronze Bocuse and 10,000 euros in prize money.

Iceland now totals 2 podiums. Regularly placed in top of the ranking the country comes back on the podium after a 3rd place in 2001.

The three winners have the privilege to integrate the prestigious Bocuse d’Or Winners Association.

This year was quite special. But all of the twenty-four teams that took part deserve congratulations for a job well done. They all prepare for over a year with time and passion and they need to have sponsors to back them. For many, it is a full time effort.

USA-Philip Tessier Coach-Mathew Peters-Winner-Thomas Keller-Team President

USA-Philip Tessier, Coach, Mathew Peters, Winner and Thomas Keller, Team President

This event happens every two years the end of January. Good chefs and those into fine dining are aware. But many Americans are not. Our cheering section is small compared to other countries. I encourage you to consider attending in 2019. The Sirha trade show is amazing, the International Catering Cup opens your eyes to what’s on the horizon, and the CMPasrisserie will have you drooling. It’s simply a week of bliss for everything someone in the hospitality and restaurant business could dream about and more than the consumer can begin to imagine. If you think the best of the best, with corporate chefs preparing from around the world and the products to produce and support, that barely scratches the surface. The Bocuse d’Or is the crowing event or the week or the showstopper, but there truly is something for everyone from demonstrations, café shows, food studio, new products areas, master class village, omnivore food studio, print food expo, sixime sens, village métiers, wine bar, etc.

Again, congratulations Team USA, you earned the GOLD.

Prize Ceremony

Prize Ceremony

About The Author

Maralyn Hill

Maralyn Dennis Hill is Executive Editor of Luxe Beat Magazine and is known as The Epicurean Explorer. She was born to travel and loves to tell the tale. As a professional travel and food, writer, Maralyn is intrigued by all aspects of spa and culinary tourism. From local cuisine to Michelin Star, simple to gourmet, she thrives on discovering flavors, spices, and trends worldwide. Not only does she love to share the tales of unique customs, Maralyn also believes that her passion for global travel is the greatest geography lesson. The best part is meeting people along the way and hearing their stories. From Bocuse d’Or to being a judge at the Turks & Caicos Conch Festival and the Oregon Chocolate Festival and more, Maralyn is truly a world traveler. She is a frequent guest on radio shows and editor and contributor to more than eight print and online publications. Maralyn continues to reach an audience of several million in the United States and abroad. Her adventures don’t stop there. She has co-authored three books and from 2002 to 2006, she hosted a cable television show on Time-Warner. Maralyn is the past president of The International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (12-2008 to 12-2012) and continued her work as a board member and co-chair of its Conference and Media Trip Committee through 2014. She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and the Society of Professional Journalists. When she’s not jetting to her next destination, Maralyn enjoys coaching individuals on writing and marketing successful projects. And although she lives to travel, she enjoys quiet time exploring. Specialties: Culinary tourism, luxury and spas, but loves all travel. Food judging is enjoyable and Maralyn enjoys using her conference, incentive, and meeting planning skills.

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