Louisiana residents are invited to buy tickets to both events June 11-13 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
NEW ORLEANS – Tuesday, June 4, 2024 – New Orleans & Company
successfully secured the 2024 Americas Selection of Bocuse d’Or and
Pastry World Cup, which will be held June 11-13 at the New Orleans
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC). New Orleans is the first
city in the United States to host this prominent international
competition. We were selected as a world-class culinary destination that
is Built to Host.
Bocuse d’Or is the most rigorous culinary competition in the world. It
presents an opportunity to discover new generations of chefs keen to
enhance their culinary heritage through their excellence, commitment,
and technical skills. Both events are considered the “Olympics” of
the culinary world.
“The Bocuse d’Or and the Bocuse family have a strong and personal
connection to the United States. It was natural that the American
selection of the Bocuse d’Or would end up settling down in the United
States to welcome and represent all of the continent’s gastronomy, in a
city that is representative of this American cultural diversity,” said
Luc Dubanchet, Deputy Managing Director of GL Events Exhibitions.
“Regarding the World Pastry Cup, the United States is one of the most
important stages of the global pastry, at the origin of many desserts
that have become world-renowned. Being able to count on the hospitality
of New Orleans is an honor, but also a privilege as it is a genuine
chance to highlight the rich culinary heritage of this fantastic
region.”
The team at Sirha Food has partnered with several prominent New Orleans
chefs to serve as advisors for the events. The official local chefs’
committee:
* Alon Shaya
* Nina Compton
* Susan Spicer
* Emeril/EJ Lagasse
* Frank Brigtsen
“We’re so honored to welcome the esteemed members of Bocuse d’Or to our
beautiful city. I know they will leave inspired by Louisiana’s unique
culinary culture and I hope that they will tell all their friends to
come enjoy it,” said Alon Shaya, Chef and Co-Founder of Pomegranate
Hospitality. “It’s so important that we continue to nurture the next
generation of talented chefs and create a space where they can express
their deep passion for culinary arts.”
Culinary Competition Details
On Tuesday, June 11, six countries from North and South America will
participate in the Americas selection of the Pastry World Cup.
Participating countries include Argentina, Canada, Chile, Columbia,
Mexico, and Paraguay. Each team, made up of one chocolate and one
sugar candidate, will have 5 hours and 30 minutes to create 16
tasting desserts and two artistic pieces. The restaurant dessert jury
members include:
* Eunji Lee, Lysse NYC
* Gustavo Saez, Gustavo Sáez Academy
* Matthew Peters, the only American to win the Bocuse d’Or in 2017
* Patrice Demers, Sabayon
* Susan Spicer, Rosedale
The tasting jury members include judges from each of the countries
participating. More information about the competition is available here
[2]. The top three will qualify for the Grand Finale during Sirha
Lyon® in January 2025.
On Wednesday, June 12 and Thursday, June 13, the Bocuse d’Or
Americas will take over the NOENMCC. The nine countries
participating include Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Columbia,
Guatemala, Mexico, the United States, and Venezuela. The candidates must
work with traditional Louisiana products, including whole shrimp,
oysters, and lump crab meat on the same plate, accompanied by a sauce,
and served warm or cold. The candidates will compete for five spots in
the Grand Finale, with the following judges presiding:
* Jeffrey Hayashi, President of the Jury and Bocuse d’Or Americans
2022
* Gavin Kaysen, President of the Continental Organizing Committee
* Emeril Lagasse_,_ Honorary President
* Mathew Peters, the only chef to judge both events
The Grand Finale is also scheduled for January 2025 in France, during
the next Sirha Lyon®.
Securing this event is one of many New Orleans & Company [3] Strategies
underway to drive tourism during the traditionally slower summer months.
“Events of this scale do not just happen. Our team at New Orleans &
Company worked tirelessly to bring them to our city,” said Walt Leger
III, President and CEO of New Orleans & Company. “New Orleans is
renowned as a city where champions of all kinds are crowned. Our city
being the first in the United States to host these events is a testament
to our place as a world-class culinary destination.”
Media Credential Information
Media credential applications are still open. More information is
available on their website [4]. Select the “Media” category and fill out
the form. Once your registration is validated, you will receive your
badge via email.
Public Registration Information
The Americas Selection of the Pastry World Cup is open to the public
from 10 am to 7 pm on June 11. The Americas Selection of the Bocuse
d’Or Americas is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 12 and 13. The
competition begins at 9:30 a.m. on both days. To attend the Pastry World
Cup or Bocuse d’Or, you must register as a visitor and purchase a
ticket here [5]. Tickets are $75 and include access to all three days
of events. Several hotels are offering room blocks with special rates
for Bocuse d’Or and The Pastry World Cup, including The Windsor
Court [6], Loews New Orleans Hotel [7], Kimpton Hotel Fontenot
[8], Hilton New Orleans Riverside [9] and Courtyard New Orleans
Warehouse Arts District [10]. Each of these hotels is conveniently
located within walking distance of the competition and centrally located
to several other attractions, restaurants, shopping, and more.
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New Orleans & Company is the official destination sales and marketing
organization for New Orleans’ tourism industry. Founded in 1960, our
mission is to inspire, promote, and encourage travel to our city for the
economic, social, and community benefit of New Orleans and its people.
Our vision is to ensure New Orleans remains the most remarkable, unique,
and welcoming city in the world. For more information, visit us at
neworleans.com or on social media @VisitNewOrleans or @Neworleansandco.
