Bocuse d’Or gives Italy a chance at redemption
Prepping for the finals in Lyon in January. — AFP picPARIS, July 18 — After a lacklustre performance at the Bocuse d’Or Europe this year, organisers have decided to give Italy another chance at redemption and invited the country to compete at the final competition in Lyon next year.
Known as wildcards, organisers reserve two spots at the finals so they can invite countries that failed to qualify. In addition to Italy, it was previously announced that Morocco — the first African country to compete — would be given a slot.
At the Bocuse d’Or Europe continental competition earlier this year, Italy and Spain — a cradle for some of the most elite and progressive restaurants in the world — lost to countries such as Estonia and Hungary. Twenty European countries competed for one of 12 spots at the finals.
At a press conference in Paris earlier this month, show director Florent Suplisson spoke about Italy’s mediocre showing, saying the team lacked organisation.
“They have work to do,” he said in French. “They know what they have to do.”
Organisers also have ambitious plans to expand the competition to Russia, Africa and the Middle East.
Twenty-four countries will compete at the 14th edition of the Bocuse d’Or in Lyon, France, January 29-30 next year, a few months before another international cooking competition in Germany takes place. This is the lesser known but equally global IKA World Culinary Olympics, which takes place every four years. — AFP/Relaxnews
