The Winning Platter

At the India International Food and Wine Show,which concluded at Pragati Maidan this week,Chef Pankaj Sharma from Delhi’s Aman Resorts,won the Bocuse d’Or India,one of the most prestigious cooking competitions in the world. Sharma,who won the national leg of the event,will travel to Shanghai next year,to participate in the Bocuse d’Or,Asia,where he will compete against chefs from 11 other Asian countries. The top four contestants will get a chance to compete in the international Bocuse d’Or,that will be held in France in 2013.

Sharma’s winning dish was a sous vide cooked lamb infused with ginger and coriander,served with winter vegetables and curry polenta,garnished with smoked milk foam. “Indian chefs are really talented,but they need a platform to showcase their skill on an international level and this competition presents such an opportunity. I personally had a great experience and re-discovered myself,” said Sharma.

The jury consisted of Chef Manjeet Gill,the corporate chef of ITC hotels,Chef Saby of Olive,apart from Shivneet Pohoja,who won the 2010 competition among others. “Ever since 1987,the Bocuse d’Or has been giving young chefs a unique opportunity to demonstrate their skills,offering them a springboard for their careers,” said Manjeet Gill,who is also the president of the Indian Federation of Culinary Association

The Bocuse d’Or was conceptualised by legendary French chef,Paul Bocuse,back in 1987 and has since evolved into the culinary version of the Olympic games. It was the first competition to incorporate “live cooking” in front of the judges as well as the general public.