Basque Culinary Center | Award

A new international prize was launched on Monday, February 1, to recognise one chef who has made an exceptional contribution to “improving society through gastronomy.”

Heston-Blumenthal- credit to Alisa Connan

The annual prize will be awarded by the Basque Culinary Center (BCC) in San Sebastian, a world leading academic institution in gastronomy. The finalists will be judged by some of the world's most influential chefs including Heston Blumenthal, Ferran Adrià, Yukio Hattori and Michel Bras as well as by a group of academics from the Basque Culinary Center and other universities. Twenty finalists will be shortlisted with the winner being announced on 11 July, 2016. The award has been designed to acknowledge and celebrate a generation of international chefs that have made a sustainable contribution or economic development to society through gastronomy. Nominations are now open until 20 April, 2016. To be considered, chefs have to be nominated online by a professional from the world of gastronomy.

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The winner will receive €100,000 to devote to a project of their choice that demonstrates the wider role of gastronomy in society. Joxe Mari Aizega, Head of the Basque Culinary Center, said: “We believe the world of gastronomy can have a positive influence on society when chefs take on the responsibilities that come with having a public voice. Our aim is to uncover examples of great work that has made a difference from chefs around the world, whether they are known or unknown.” The Basque Culinary Center says it wants to use the collective knowledge of the gastronomic community to unearth candidates from around the world who have improved society through gastronomy but have not necessarily come to wider public attention. Anyone with a background working as a professional chef is eligible for the prize. Chefs can be nominated via the Basque Culinary World Prize website, www.basqueculinaryworldprize.com

>>>Read more about Basque cuisine here

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Basque Culinary Center Award to celebrate chefs that 'improve society through gastronomy'