Bocuse d'Or - The Road to Lyon 2023

Bocuse d'Or is a biennial World Chef Championship. Named after the late chef Paul Bocuse, it is regarded as the world's most prestigious cooking competition and recognised globally as the Olympics of the culinary industry.

The initial Bocuse d'Or took place in January 1987, having grown to become one of the biggest and most sophisticated food and culinary arts fairs in the world.

This year, representing Aotearoa New Zealand on the world stage is the multi-award winning Chef Will Mordido (Candidate), joining him will be Chef Szren Hamberger (Commis), both guided by Chef Ken O'Connell (Coach) of Copia Restaurant.

The competition is fierce, with just 5 hours and 30mins, the three person team comprising of the Candidate Chef (Will), Commis Chef (Szren) and Coach (Ken), are tasked to create two elaborate presentations, typically a meat dish and a fish dish, taking place in an open 'culinary theatre'. Fully equipped kitchens are lined up side by side, facing an area for the jury, (John Kelleher AUT, is NZ's Jury member), members of the press, and the public udience. They will be scrutinised by some of the worlds most recognised and celebrated chefs.

The team are the first team from Aotearoa New Zealand to qualify on the world stage at this prestigious culinary competition. They will be competing in Lyon, France on 22-23 January 2023.