Since landing in the U.K. over a week ago, I’ve had a pretty amazing trip to Europe so far. I’ve been busy eating, seeing old friends, and making new ones.
Today, Wednesday, January 26, the United States sends Jamal James Kent of Eleven Madison Park to “the box,” along with his commis, 22 year-old Tom Allan at this year’s Bocuse d’Or competition in Lyon, France. In an intense, five-hour cooking session, they will present two “platters” to a panel of judges from around the world.
The U.S. has never made it to the podium at this international cooking event. Its highest placement has been sixth.
I have had the great opportunity of being included by Kent and his coaches – Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, and Gavin Kaysen – in a lot of the team activities here in Lyon in the past couple of days. And I’ve had the pleasure of photographing it all.
For this thirtieth photo of the week, I give you Jamal James Kent in the early morning hours in the kitchen of Paul Bocuse’s family home and now-restaurant, l’Abbaye de Collonges in Collonges, France, where the American team has been practicing and prepping for more than a week. Good luck, Team U.S.A.!
2 replies on “photo of the week 30: go team u.s.a….”
Though James and Tom placed 10th, I think they, Daniel, Will and the entire staff at EMP can take immense pride in the fact that they had the opportunity to represent the USA at the Bocuse d’Or.
I’ve seen your photos of the two dishes they prepared, and I’m guessing they were seriously delicious. Actually, it’s an *educated* guess. At our lunch today at EMP celebrating Mr. RBI’s birthday, Executive Sous Chef Abram Bissell served us the side dish for the lamb that James and Tom created for the competition. Spectacular!
great photo–heard Chef Keller say it was an incredilbly tough year. James and Tom, Gavin and Mark–they were awesome! XXOO to all involved.