Interest in the Bocuse d'Or has become so intense that this year's competition included two regional finals, one in the European "cultural capital" of Stavanger and one in Shanghai, in advance of the grand Bocuse d'Or final in Lyon in January 2009. This is the first time the competition has been held outside France.
Geir Skeie with proof that he's the best chef in Europe. He is flanked by Sweden's Jonas Lundgren (at left) and Denmark's Jasper Agerbæk Kure (at right). Photo: Audun Pettersen/Innovation Norway
Salmon and lamb
Geir Skeie took the European victory on his own birthday. Twenty judges from 20 different countries decided he was the best chef in the Stavanger contest. Team Skeie had had a total of five hours in which to make their winning meals. Afterwards, 10 judges tasted the meat dishes and 10 judges tasted the fish before announcing the results. The dishes prepared by Skeie were called "Salmon Austvoll" and "Lamb Fitjar" in a tribute to Fitjar, his hometown in Hordaland County on Norway's west coast.
The honors list in the European final of the Bocuse d'Or was all-Nordic. Sweden's Jonas Lundgren took second place while Denmark's Jasper Agerbæk Kure came in third.
Skeie's salmon creation won the hearts of the judges.
Photo: Audun Pettersen/Innovation Norway
Paul Bocuse in Norway
Paul Bocuse arranged the first Bocuse d'Or in 1987, in his home city of Lyon. Since then the competition has grown rapidly and is now considered the unofficial world championship in the art of cooking.
During his visit to Norway, the 82-year-old Bocuse took a trip to the Marine Harvest salmon farming facility at Ombo, and was served salmon, lamb and strawberries. In an interview with the newspaper Aftenbladet, Bocuse said: "Norway has the world's best food produce – the best salmon, the best meat and the best vegetables."
Norway has won the Bocuse d'Or three times previously. Bent Stiansen, who won in 1993, now works at Statsholdergaarden in Oslo. Terje Ness, who won in 1999, works today at Haga Restaurant in Bærum; and Charles Tjessem, who took the top prize in 2003, now works at the restaurant Charles og De in Sandnes.