It's almost time for the 2010 Bocuse D'Or, known as the Olympics of the culinary world. And the United States hopes to win it.
Since the contest's 1987 launch, no U.S. chef has ever scored gold, silver or bronze. So last year, celebrated restaurateurs such as Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud and Jerome Bocuse (son of Bocuse D'Or founder Paul Bocuse) launched the Bocuse D'Or USA to select and train the next U.S. competitor.
Chefs with Valley ties were involved in last year's USA competition. Firebaugh native Traci Des Jardins of Jardinière, Acme Chop House and Mijita in San Francisco and Manzanita in Lake Tahoe, was a judge at the semifinals. (She's also on the Bocuse D'Or culinary advisory board.)
Percy Whatley, of The Ahwahnee in Yosemite National Park, was a semifinalist. His meat platter had a Texas ranch theme, while his fish platter was like a deconstructed New England chowder. (The photo above is Whatley's scallop in a "shell.")
The winner was Timothy Hollingsworth of The French Laundry in Yountville; he scored sixth place in the 2009 Bocuse D'Or.
Who will the U.S. rep be for the 2010 event? If you know any chefs interested in applying, here's the application; the deadline is Nov. 30.
[photo source: restaurant widow]
Oooo how exciting! I love Bocuse D'Or, I wonder what greatthings they'll come up with thie year. Good luck USA!
just seems like a glorification of excess and waste; fitting it started in 1987... seems like a group of disconnected epicures giving each other group reach arounds to make each other feel better about what they represent... just look at who sponsors it; the dying gasps of a dying niche
Chef Liu at our local Hunan Restaurant is also a former winner of the Bocuse D'Or, sorry don't recall the year. There's an article and pictures on the wall to the left as you enter his place.