Lanka among 24 finalists at culinary competition
Sri Lankan Chef Buddhika Samarasekara paved the way for Sri Lanka to
advance in the culinary world with his qualification for the grand
finale of the much coveted Bocuse d'Or, the international gastronomy
competition that brings together the best chefs globally every two
years.
Sri Lanka was among the 24 countries from around the world that
qualified to be in the grand finale, in Lyon, France on January 29 and
30.
Chef Buddhika Samarasekara and his assistant Rashen John reached the
finals in Lyon after having being placed third at the Bocuse d'Or Asia
in China last year. The duo served two exquisite presentations for the
fish and meat categories in the five and-a-half hours allocated, before
a lively audience of supporters from the competing countries.
The competition also tested the creativity of the chefs as they had
to improvise side dishes from ingredients brought just before the event.
They were also required to introduce culinary attributes from their
native countries in a bid to enhance their dishes.
It was Sri Lanka's first attempt at Bocuse d'Or, and the ability to
come third in Asia and thereafter qualify for the finals was widely
commended.
French Chef Thibaut Ruggeri emerged victorious, securing gold for
France, while Denmark's Jeppe Foldager won silver and Japan's Noriyuki
Hamada came third.
The Sri Lanka team comprised Coach Alan Palmer and President of
Bocuse d'Or Sri Lanka Chef Rohan Fernandopulle, who also served on the
international jury. The international panel of culinary experts was
headed by Chef Enrico Crippa, Honorary President of Bocuse d'Or 2013,
and Rasmus Kofoed, Bocuse d'Or winner in 2011.
It also comprised Presidents of the Bocuse d'Or associations in the
countries selected to participate in the grand finale. Internationally
renowned Chef Rohan Fernandopulle was the first Asian and among the top
35 world renowned chefs, to be a member of the prestigious 'Club Des
Chefs Des Chefs', considered to be the most exclusive culinary group in
the world. He is also a member of the famous club,Chain des Rotisseurs
as Chef de Rotisseur.
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