Bocuse d'Or opens to Sri Lanka

Demi HEWAMANNA

It's said to be the Oscars of the Culinary world, taking the chefs on a journey truly unforgettable. The coming year, the forks have turned to the Island of Sri Lanka to participate for the first time in the Bocuse d'Or 2012 to choose the world's best chef of the year.

"This is a good thing for the country, for the young chefs to show their talents. There will be a competition for chefs all over the island and we will be getting support from other chefs, beverage industries and more," Mount Lavinia Hotel General Manager Anura Dewapura who is the Promotion Manager for Bocuse d'Or Sri Lanka 2012 said at a press conference held last week.

Bocuse d'Or is the name taken from Chef Paul Bocuse when he was appointed the honorary president of the Salon des Mettier de Bouche and got the idea to hold a culinary competition at an exhibition and cook 'live' right in front of a audience.

"Chef Bocuse invited chefs from all European countries to come cook and be judged by an international panel of judges. There was no one who was representing Asia. We took a look at the results of the countries and most come from Europe and the ingredients are predominantly European", International Culinary Event Organizer Alan Palmer who is the Officcial Coach for Bocuse d'Or Asia Sri Lanka Chapter said. The target of Sri Lanka is to select the top 14 and send the top two (the lead chef and an apprentice chef who must be less than 22 years) to Shanghai and from there the finalist will be chosen to go cook at the grand finale in Lyon, France.

"Applications have been sent to all chefs from the country and Sri Lankan chefs working in the Maldives. We will by mid December see what the applicants can do, awards they have won and they should send a recipe for a beef dish", Palmer added. The judging panel who gives the marks to the chefs are very strict as no favourism is done to any individual or country. Palmer said that Singapore were considered to top 14 and won a place to Lyon, but as they got late, points were deducted and they lost their place. "My main objective is to select the Best Sri Lankan chef to participate in this competition," Hilton Colombo Executive Chef and Bocuse d'Or Sri Lanka President Rohan Fernandopulle said. Rohan was nominated by the Bocuse d'Or international organization committee in France. Choosing the promotion manager and the Official Coach and was not easy as it had to be given to people who have experience in the culinary world.

"Anura Dewapura was the former Executive Chef at Alphonso XIII (Spain) was in charge of the first event held outside En Hommage aux Nouvelles Etoiles Michelin 1996 for 2 and 3 star Michelin chefs from Europe including Paul Bocuse. With an experience in over 13 countries he has been going from General Manager to Director of Operations to Executive Chef role. Anura will be promoting all the event happenings leading to the Asian finals in Shanghai.

"Alan Palmer is an international culinary judge. He will coordinate the selection process here in Sri Lanka and be there at the Asian finals. Alan has been to the Bocuse d'Or 2003 finale to be an observer on invitation the 2008 European Bocuse d'Or Finals in Stavenger Norway," Rohan added.

Rohan will be one of the judges at the Asian finals and Sri Lankan member of Club ded Chefs des Chefs association. The third edition of the competition to select the Asian finalists will be in Shanghai from June 12 to 14 where 10 countries will participate and the Top 4 countries will be invited to the Global finals in Lyon in France which is to take place from January 29-30, 2013.