LYON France European chefs took the three top prizes Wednesday at the Bocuse d’Or 2009 culinary competition here, dashing the hopes pinned on American Timothy Hollingsworth of the French Laundry, who came in sixth.
Geir Skeie of Mathuset Solvod in Sanefjord, Norway, won the gold medal in the two-day contest, which considered one of the most prestigious in the culinary world. A Swede, Jonas Lundgren of Pierre Gagnaire in Paris, won the silver medal, and Frenchman Philippe Mille of Le Meurice in Paris took the bronze. The chefs also received cash prizes for their victories, according to Bocuse d’Or officials.
Hollingsworth, 28, is sous-chef at the famed French Laundry in Yountville, Calif. He had been coached by both his boss, chef Thomas Keller, and chef Daniel Boulud, a native of France and chef-owner of Boulud in New York.
"I am thrilled and honored to have been able to represent the United States at the Bocuse d'Or," Hollingsworth said. "It has been a truly amazing experience on the ground in Lyon. All that I've learned working with Team USA over the past few months has been invaluable, with so many people having contributed to the achievements our country has made here. Competing amongst these great chefs today has truly been an honor."
The competition, which was founded by chef Paul Bocuse in 1987, attracted chefs from 24 countries. Contestants were judged on presentation, 40 percent, and taste, 60 percent. Points also were calculated for cleanliness and technique in the kitchen.
Judges represented each of the participating countries, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Japan, Malaysia, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Uruguay and the United Kingdom.
“Everyone did exceptionally,” said chef Jerome Bocuse, son of competition founder Paul Bocuse, in a live feed from the event on the Internet. “To all the supporters -- a big, big thank you.”
France won the top prize at the Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie, also known as the World Pastry Cup, which took place just prior to the Bocuse d'Or and celebrated its 20th anniversary. The pastry team representing the United States, which was led by David Ramirez of Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Fla., did not place.
Contact Pamela Parseghian at [email protected].