Norway wins Bocuse d’Or Europe 2020
After two days of intense competition on 15th and 16th of October in Tallinn, Estonia, Norway won the title of Bocuse d’Or Europe 2020.
Mrs. Kersti Kaljulaid, the President of Estonia, presented the award to Chef Christian Andre Pettersen from Norway who impressed Régis Marcon, president of the International Organising Committee, and the judges with his dedication, quality of the food and flavours. “They really understand how to work with the food,” said the President of Jury Philip Tessier. “I am really looking forward to see what they bring to Lyon.”
The winner was followed by 15 other competitors: Denmark took the second place, Sweden the third one. A total of 10 chefs qualified for the grand finale which will be held during Sirha Lyon (France) from May 29th to June 2d, 2021:
1. Norway - CHRISTIAN ANDRE PETTERSEN
2. Denmark - RONNI VEXØE MORTENSEN
3. Sweden – SEBASTIAN GI- BRAND
4. Iceland - SIGURÐUR LAUFDAL
5. Finland – MIKKO KAUKONEN
6. France – DAVY TISSOT
7. Estonia – ARTUR KAZARITSKI
8. Switzerland – ALESSANDRO MORDASSINI
9. Hungary - ISTVÁN VERES 10. Italy - ALESSANDRO BERGAMO
For this continental selection, the Bocuse d’Or was held in a new promising gastronomic destination - Estonia. The unique themes – Estonian quail and eel catfish – enriched the Bocuse d’Or world with new and interesting flavours. The chefs had quite a challenge to win over the judges with components that are yet to gain wider recognition in the culinary industry.
According to the honorary president Clare Smyth the level of chefs was remarkable. “It was incredibly close competition. There are so many really exceptional chefs and I’m glad there is such an experienced jury because it’s such a responsible job to get this right,” said Smyth.
The President of Bocuse d’Or Europe Tallinn 2020 Dimitri Demjanov thanked Paul Bocuse who started the event 30 years ago and everyone who made it possible to bring Bocuse d’Or to Estonia: “The status of Estonian chefs in the world is no longer the same and we did it at a particularly difficult time!”
“All this would not be possible without a large number of supporters (including Enterprise Estonia and the City of Tallinn), like-minded people and enthusiasts, GL events and the Bocuse d’Or community. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the competition, despite the limited resources as well as the dangers of the pandemic,” said Demjanov.