Việt Nam’s first entry into final of French culinary competition

The Vietnamese team to compete in the final round of the Bocuse d’Or culinary competition to open in France on January 25, 2025. Photo by Bocuse d'Or Việt Nam

HCM City – A Vietnamese team will participate for the first time in the grand final of the Bocuse d'Or, a global cuisine competition to be held in Lyon City, France, next January.

Việt Nam is one of five representatives from the Asia-Pacific region to advance to the finals.

It showcases the culinary talent of Vietnamese chefs, Emmanuelle Pavillon-Grosser, The French consulate general in HCM City, told a press conference held to honour the team and help it seek sponsorship.

The Vietnamese team will include chef Vũ Xuân Trường and assistant chef Nguyễn Quan Tâm.

There will also be two coaches, chef Sakal Phoeung, President of the Bocuse d'Or Việt Nam Association, and chef Daniel Nguyễn, real name Nguyễn Minh Dũng.

Trường expressed joy and honour at representing Việt Nam in this competition.

Daniel Nguyễn said both ingredients decided by the judges and unique ingredients from the country would be used in the contest.

The team wants to show the world that Việt Nam has great flavors and specialities and outstanding chefs, he said.

Dũng said the inspiration behind the winning dish in the Asia-Pacific qualifiers was the legendary story of the Dragon and the Fairy, symbolising land and water in Vietnamese culture.

Bocuse d’Or, founded by Chef Paul Bocuse in 1987, is a culinary competition held every two years.

This time it will be held from January 25 to 27. – VNS