San Francisco- The most recent episode of the show, ‘Top Chef’, was based on Bocuse d’Or, which is actually regarded as the “Olympics of the culinary arts”. The five contestants focused their skills based on the 1987 introduced competition, resulting in Eli being eliminated.

Now, for those who want to know more about the competition that is held every two years, here is the info. Created by Paul Bocuse, the Bocuse d’Or was created to address the public about the hard work and dedication of the chefs. Only 24 countries are selected to enter the show. The Bocuse d’Or 2009 was held in early January, from 24-28th in the city of Lyon in France. The President of Honor was Daniel Boulud and the International President of the Jury was Fabrice Desvignes (the winner of the 2007 competition).

The competition was witnessed by a large number of live audience and amidst Euro music. As ever, the judges, who have to taste around 24 dishes in one day, could take only a few seconds to actually taste and judge the food prepared. The winner came out to be Geir Skeie from Norway, whereas the second place and third place was occupied by Sweden’s Jonas Lundgren and France’s Philippe Mille respectively. The main themes for the contest were Scotch Beef, Aberdeen Angus and the Norwegian Sea product dishes.

The Bocuse d’Or Foundation selected 16 teams this year, from among all the countries that had applied. These countries will vie in the contests held by the Culinary Institute Of America in 2010 at the Hyde Park. The announcement of the selected countries will be done on thy 7th Dec, 2009.