Team USA Wins Bocuse d’Or Competition in Lyon, France

Often referred to as the culinary equivalent of the Olympic Games, the Bocuse d’Or Competition celebrated its 30-year anniversary this week. During this year’s festivities, Team USA walked away from the prestigious cooking competition with the 1st place victory for the first time in its history.

Named after the Chef Paul Bocuse, famous for his commitment to excellence in the quality of his restaurants and perpetually cutting-edge approaches to cuisine, the competition is held every year at the end of January in his hometown of Lyon, France.

I promised Monsieur Paul 10 years ago that we’d make it to the top of the podium,” chef Thomas Keller, the president of Team U.S.A., told The New York Times.“We made it in nine.”’

Leading the team this year as head chef was Mathew Peters, 33, from Meadville, Pa.,most recently known for his executive sous-chef position at Keller’s New York restaurant, Per Se. His commis, or helper, Harrison Turone, 21, from Omaha, also worked at Per Se.

On the scene in Lyon, France to cheer on Team USA was ICC’s Director of Food Technology and Culinary Coordinator, Chef Herve Malivert. Pictured below with Mathew Peters, Malivert also mentored the 2016 winner of the Mentor Commis Competition and ICC graduate, Mimi Chen.

For the USA to win the Bocuse D’or with an all-star team including Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, Jerome Bocuse and more requires so much hard work and commitment. Seeing Thomas Keller in tears after his speech at the closing gala was a special moment felt throughout the entire ceremony. We hope this inspires a new wave of culinary school students within America in the upcoming year!” – Chef Herve Malivert

Team USA’s Bocuse d’Or victory symbolizes the evolution of gastronomy in America over the last several decades. We at the International Culinary Center are very proud of Team USA and proud to be at the forefront of this evolution, educating America’s future chefs and culinary leaders. We’re especially proud of ICC grad, Mimi Chen, for her contribution to the team.” – Erik Murnighan, President of the International Culinary Center

For more on Team USA’s win, read the full New York Times article. 

This blog post was originally published by the International Culinary Center (ICC), founded as The French Culinary Institute (FCI). In 2020, ICE and ICC came together on one strong and dynamic national platform at ICE's campuses in New York City and Los Angeles. Explore your culinary education where the legacy lives on.