Luxe Beat Magazine JANUARY 2015 | Page 62

• Fewer resources, more solutions • Starting and running a business in a difficult environment • Innovating for a better world • Solutions from chefs, artisans and designers for a rapidly changing world. Today, every two years, the Bocuse d’Or welcomes 24 promising young chefs from five continents for a grand final. heir challenge is to prepare two dishes within 5.35 hours, live in front of an enthusiastic public. A jury composed of 24 chefs, representing 24 nations, considered to be among the most prestigious chefs in the world, is set up to judge their gourmet creations. It will be presided over by Paul Bocuse, the emblemantic founder of the event. Created by chefs for chefs, the Bocuse d’Or is more than a mere contest: it is a show, a celebration, The 2015 Bocuse d’Or Finale is January 27 and 28, in Lyon. I’ve referred to it as an “Olympics of food from talented chefs.” That was my first description after attending initially in 2009. But when researching to do this article, I gained insight into the history that confirms my description. “History of the contest – In 1987, Paul Bocuse had the idea of creating a show-like contest inspired by major sporting events. The objective was also to highlight the chefs’ unique expertise. a springboard for talents, and a gastronomic arena where the culinary cultures of the world come to life.” The objective has always been to broaden its network of talented chefs, as well as welcome new countries and cultures. “Its selection process requires that the gastronomic culture of participation nations be highlighted, in particular through the choice of ingredients that are used in the recipes.” Today, 3,500 chefs in almost one hundred countries ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF SIRHA officer, r d ric Loeb, and the event will offer solutions for corporate heads, executives, marketing, R&D, catering managers and chefs. Creative and strategic topics will be covered with commentaries from experts, chefs, managers, designers and researchers from various backgrounds. Debate topics will be: 62