Tall Toques Travel: The Food Olympics

September 25, 2008 at 9:48 AM | by BS | Comments (0)

Forget "Top Chef." If you're looking for some serious cooking contest drama, get yourself to Disney World this weekend for the semi-finals of the Bocuse d'Or.

The so-called Olympics of cooking, the Bocuse d'Or finals are held every year in Lyon, France, and for global gastrophiles, this contest carries serious weight. (Check out the over-the-top website intro--these people clearly think this is much bigger than the Olympics.)

Unfortunately, America's track record is far from golden. In the 20 years the competition has been held, Team USA has never placed in medal position--in fact, they've never come close, with their best finish a lowly sixth in 2003.

But the Americans have gotten serious this year, choosing eight promising chefs to train intensively with the big boys of the culinary world, like Daniel Boulud and Thomas Keller. The top finishers in this weekend's contest--part of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival--will represent the U.S. at January's finals in France.

Among the contestants, who will have five hours to prepare dishes using cod, lobster and beef tenderloin: Hung Huynh, winner of "Top Chef" Season 3. (OK, fine, we can't completely forget reality TV!).

Related Stories:
· Bocuse d'Or USA [Official Site]
· Aspring Chefs Will Go For The Gusto [Tampa Bay Online]
· Boozy Theme Parks Travel: Eating and Drinking at Epcot [Jaunted]
· Food Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Bocuse d'Or]

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