Denmark wins the 2019 Bocuse d’Or

Earlier today chefs wrapped up the two-day Bocuse d’Or competition in Lyon, France. This year’s event resulted in a Scandinavian sweep, as top honors went to the team from Denmark, with Sweden and Norway finishing second and third respectively. Held every other year, the Bocuse d’Or is considered the most prestigious culinary competition in the world.

Teams earn their spot among the 24 finalists by competing in continental selection events (Bocuse d’Or Europe, Bocuse d’Or Asia Pacific, Bocuse d’Or Latin America. and for the first time Bocuse d’Or Africa). There are also two wildcard spots available, claimed this year by China and Italy. The finalists for 2019 came from across the globe, from Australia to Iceland and Brazil to Singapore. All continents (save Antarctica) were represented in the competition. 

Most countries sponsor a national team, but the United States team does not receive any governmental support, which is why celebrated chefs Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, and Jérôme Bocuse founded The Ment’or BKB Foundation in 2008. In 2017, their hard work paid off with the American team winning for the first time in history.