It was a good year for Nordic cooking in general, as chefs from Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland placed behind Norway (in that order) in the competition.
The two-day competition, named after chef Paul Bocuse, occurs every other year in Lyon, France. It was first arranged in 1983. Recent years have seen much success for the Nordic countries – and the new Nordic food – in the competition. Norwegians have won the gold medal in 2012, 2009, 2003, 1999, and 1993, and have placed second or third two times each.
This year, Johannessen's winning dish of sole stuffed with shrimp, black bread and dill won him €12,000 (approx. $16,000) in prize money.