“This is the first time Sri Lanka
participates in this global event and we as Sri Lankans are proud to represent
ourselves in this event” states Anura Dewapura, Promotions Manager, Bocus d’Or
Sri Lanka.
The
Bocuse d'Or was founded by renowned French chef Paul Bocuse. The
Bocuse d'Or (the Concours mondial de la cuisine, World
Cooking Contest) is a biennial world chef
championship. Named for the chef Paul Bocuse, the event takes place during two
days near the end of January in Lyon, France at the SIRHA International Hotel, Catering and Food
Trade Exhibition, and is one of the world's most prestigious cooking
competitions.
The event is frequently
referred to as the culinary equivalent
of the Oscars Academy Awards. The event in Lyon brings to surface the vibrance,
excitement and the passion in culinary magic from across the globe. Paul Bocuse is a
highly respected icon in the Culinary World and Bocuse d’Or competition
provides young chefs the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, offering them
a tremendous springboard for their careers.
Bocuse d’Or Asia, the Asian Final of the
Bocuse d’Or global contest, was held in Shanghai from 12th to 14th June 2012,
with the intension of selecting participants for the 15th Bocuse d’Or Global
finals in Lyon, France on 29th and 30th January 2013. The Four finalists from
Asia that will participate in the Worldwide Finals are Yew Eng Tong of
Singapore, Noriyuki Hamada of Japan, Buddhika Samarasekera of Sri Lanka and
Ralph Sun of China.
Ever since the beginning of the contest
in 1987 and its arrival to Asia in 1989, this is the first time that Sri Lanka
has had the opportunity to showcase its culinary skills in the Asian Finals and
excel to the Grand Finals in Lyon.
In preparation for the Asian Final, Sri
Lanka invited Mr. Otto Weibel, the President of Bocuse d’Or Asia and Mr.
Christophe Megel the President of Bocuse d’Or Singapore to select the best Sri
Lankan contestant. With over 11 participants from the hotels across the island,
with the support of Mr. Rohan Fernandopulle, President of Bocuse d’Or Sri
Lanka, Mr. Anura Dewapura Promotion Manager-Bocuse d’Or Sri Lanka and Mr. Alan
Palmer, the Official Coach-Bocuse d’Or Sri Lanka, finally won by Buddika
Samarasekera, of Hilton Colombo winning the competition with his apprentice.
Buddhika Samarasekera is looking forward to the
Global Finals with positive ambitions. Sri Lanka’s best ingredients such as
Tea, Cinnamon, Kadju Nuts, etc are being used to surface some innovative dishes
is what the focus will be.
"My main objective was to select the Best
Sri Lankan chef to participate in this competition," stated Bocuse d'Or
Sri Lanka President Rohan Fernandopulle. Rohan was nominated by the Bocuse d'Or
international organization committee in France. Choosing the promotion manager
and the Official Coach and was not easy as it had to be given to people who
have experience in the culinary world.
"Anura Dewapura was the former Executive
Chef at Alphonso XIII (Spain) was in charge of the first event held outside En
Hommage aux Nouvelles Etoiles Michelin 1996 for 2 and 3 star Michelin chefs
from Europe including Paul Bocuse. With an experience in over 13 countries he
has been going from General Manager to Director of Operations to Executive Chef
role. Anura will be promoting all the event happenings leading to the Finals in
Lyon.
"Alan Palmer is an international culinary
judge. He will coordinate the selection process here in Sri Lanka and be there
at the Asian finals. Alan has been to the Bocuse d'Or 2003 finale to be an
observer on invitation the 2008 European Bocuse d'Or Finals in Stavenger
Norway," Rohan added.
24
countries compete in the world finals, having achieved entry through different
means: The top 12 finalists of the Bocuse d'Or Europe qualify, from a pool of
20 nations; the top 4 finalists of Bocuse d'Or Asia qualify, from a pool of 12
nations; the top 3 finalists of the Copa Azteca Latin American competition
qualify, from a pool of 12 nations. Furthermore 5 entrants are selected from
national application.
Attached
herewith the Recipe created by Buddhika for Bocuse d’Or Asia that won him a
place in the Grand Finals in Lyon.
The head table
consisted of:
Mr. Thirukumar
Nadesan, Chairman, Hotel Developers Lanka(PLC)
Mr Dilhan Fernando, Director Marketing, Dilmah Tea
Dr Nalaka Godahewa - Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority
Mr Rudolf Troestler, General Manager at Hilton Colombo
Mr Nigel Austin - Bailli Délégue in Sri Lanka for the Confrère de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs
Mr Rohan Fernandopulle - President of Bocuse d'Or Sri Lanka
Dr Nalaka Godahewa - Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority
Mr Rudolf Troestler, General Manager at Hilton Colombo
Mr Nigel Austin - Bailli Délégue in Sri Lanka for the Confrère de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs
Mr Rohan Fernandopulle - President of Bocuse d'Or Sri Lanka
Mr Anura Dewapura - Promotions Manager of Bocuse d'Or Sri Lanka
Mr Alan Palmer - Official Coach of Bocuse d'Or Sri Lanka
Mr Alan Palmer - Official Coach of Bocuse d'Or Sri Lanka
Mr Buddika
Samarasekera - Winner at Bocuse
d’Or Asia
Mr Rashen John – Apprentice who assisted Buddhika at Bocuse d’Or Asia
Mr Rashen John – Apprentice who assisted Buddhika at Bocuse d’Or Asia
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