Bocuse d'Or 2014 - chef profiles (part one)

By James Euinton The Bocuse d'Or may as well be considered the Olympics of cooking, and the European competition is just around the corner. The event was originally established by French chef Paul Bocuse as a way to showcase the world's best cooking in a "live audience" format. The first event was held back in 1987, and it has quickly risen to become arguably the most prestigious event of its kind. The competition will be held in the Swedish capital Stockholm, and will begin on the 7th of May. The competition will see 20 chefs, each representing a different country from the continent, battling head to head to wow the highly esteemed kitchen jury. If successful, 12 of the best chefs from the competition will win a chance to compete in the international final of the Bocuse d'Or in Lyon.

Here are a few of this year's European competitors: Max Aichinger (Austria) Max is the head chef at Landhaus zu Appesbach in St. Wolfgang and will be representing Austria in the competition. Max currently lives in Gmunden in upper Austria. He has previously enjoyed success in the Austrian “Young and Wild” culinary competition back in 2006, achieving second place, and also earned a Michelin star while working in the Salzburg restaurant Magazin. Max will be competing on the 8^th of May alongside commis chef Nikolaus Platteter in box five. Christian Krüger (Germany) Christian Kruger will be representing Germany in this year’s competition. The 33 year old has already got seven culinary awards under his belt, the most recent of which was being awarded second place at Master Chef of the Year 2010. Christian's colourful career includes many different restaurants across Europe after he completed his training in 2000 at Gräfliches Parkhotel, including a stint at the German Ministry of Defence as a Guest Chef, from 2004-2008. Christian is the current owner of Restaurant Axt in Mannheim, Germany. Christian will be competing on the 7th of May in box one. Peter Aesaert (Belgium)

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Peter Aesaert is the Belgian entry for the competition, and is the head chef at Warande Bxl. Peter’s previous work includes former Michelin star restaurant 't Laurierblad in East Flanders, Meesterkoks van Belgie and Hof Ter Leie. Peter will be competing alongside Ccmmis chef Niels Dedier in box nine on the 8^th of May.

Peter Petrov Plamenov (Bulgaria) Peter is the head chef at Pure Chefs Grill in Bulgaria's capital Sofia. He is due to compete along with his commis chef Nicole Tsvetanova on the 7^th of Mayin box ten. Kenneth Hansen (Denmark) Kenneth Hansen works at the prestigious Svinkløv Badehotel in northern Denmark. The 31-yearold Great Dane is hoping to continue the previous successes that his country has found in the competition in previous years (placing second on 2013 and winning back in 2011, Denmark has placed five times in the history of the competition). Kenneth will be competing on the May 7^th in box eight. Dmitri Haljukov (Estonia) Dimitri is the head chef of Cru restaurant in northern Estonia. Dimitri won “Estonian Chef of the Year” last year, which allowed him to qualify for this year’s Bocuse d’Or competition. Dimitri will be competing in box six on the 7^th of May.

Alberto Moreno (Spain) Alberto Moreno is the co-owner and executive chef of prestigious Madrid restaurant Grupo D.H Gastro. Alberto has previously won Chef of the Year in the Community of Madrid (2008) and the Contest of International Food Istria Peninsula, Croatia (2009). Alberto will be competing on May 7th in box two. Matti Jämsen (Finland) Matti is the head chef at G. W. Sundmans, and has worked in top restaurants across Europe, earning himself a prestigious Michelin star while working as a sous chef at Die Quadriga in Berlin. Matti previously competed in Bocuse d’Or in 2011, achieving 5^th place, won the 2011 Food and Fun competition and was named Finland’s Chef of the year back in 2005. Matti will be competing on May 8^th in box one.

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