REPORT ON THE INTERNATIONAL YOUNG CHEFS COMPETITION 2021 young chefs’ experiences during their stay in Paris: “Competitors arrived in two groups: from outside Europe came a day earlier than those from European countries. Those in “long haul” group were challenged to a ‘Rallye Gourmet’ which was a walking tour of the best of French food culture in the district of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Meats, pastries, chocolate, caviar and wine were sampled whilst learning about the district’s great history. These competitors were also treated to an amazing dinner at Restaurant Éclipses. The following evening, Thursday 23rd, the whole group met for the first time at the official welcome event being a Yachts de Paris dinner cruise on the River Seine. Photos courtesy of Mary Erhardy www.maryerhardy.com
On September 27, young chefs from 22 countries, each sponsored by a professional Chaîne member, met in the “City of Light” Paris France, for the honour of competing in the 44th and 45th Concours International des Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs. Paris is not only the location of the Chaîne’s International Headquarters but is also the home of Le Cordon Bleu, the 2021 host venue. With the on-going pandemic, the Competition was cancelled last year. As such the 2021 Competition featured National winners who qualified for either 2020 (including our own Canadian Competitor Rôtisseur Gus Koenigsfest) or 2021 facing off in their own competitions. The JCR Committee decided to have both years compete side by side with the same black box but to be scored separately by year.
Attendees gather on the Seine.
Gus(centre) during the Yachts de Paris dinner cruise.
The competitors came from 16 countries (with some entering a competitor for both 2020 and 2021 as indicated by the “2” beside the countries name): Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland (2), Germany, Great Britain (2) Hungary (2), Mexico, Netherlands (2), Norway (2), South Africa, Sweden (2), Switzerland, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and USA.
Lois Gilbert, Okanagan Bailli and Heinz Hofmann, Member Honoraire du Conseil d’Administration. Members of the JCR International Committee.
Lois Gilbert, newly intronized Bailli of the Okanagan Bailliage and International Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs Competition Committee, provided a report on the 47
