– Bocuse d'Or in Trondheim in 2024 will be a great event for everyone who has a heart for good food and wants to see world-class cuisine. Norway has established itself as a food nation with an international format and is characterized by our unique, high-quality ingredients and world-class chefs. We will show it to the whole world these days in March next year - says Minister of Agriculture and Food Sandra Borch.

Since 1987, Norway has participated in the world final of the Bocuse d'Or 17 times with the best results. Recently, in January this year, Filip August Bendi won the silver medal at the competition in Lyon.

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The Bocuse d'Or Europe will be held at Trondheim Spektrum on 19-20. March 2024. The top ten candidates in this competition will advance to the World Finals in Lyon in 2025.

– This reinforces Norway's role as an important food country and travel destination. We have a unique selection of fjord and earth raw materials and this will be a fantastic showcase of everything we have to offer. This is confirmed by Trøndelag's position as a food region. Bocuse d'Or is also an important arena for strengthening recruitment both for the production of raw materials, catering industry, as well as tourist. There are many opportunities here for young people who want to work in industries with good future prospects, says Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Bjørnar Skjæran.

Support for building strong food and tourist regions

Support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food is 4,5 million NOK. It was awarded under Development Program for growth and value creation based on agriculture and reindeer husbandry managed by Innovation Norway. Activities that will receive support from the program's reputation funds will contribute to building Norway as an internationally recognized food country with a strong local and regional identity. The program also provides support for farming and reindeer husbandry experiences and activities that will contribute to transforming Norway into an attractive travel destination. The Ministry of Trade and Fisheries provides NOK 2 million.

Recruitment for the food and catering industry

Access to a sufficient and adequate workforce is the greatest challenge for the entire value chain in the food industry. Bocuse d'Or Europe 2024 should also be used to promote the food industry and to show young people all the good job opportunities in this industry.

Norwegian chefs and Norwegian ingredients win the Bocuse d'Or

The Bocuse d'Or is the unofficial world championship in French cuisine. The competition takes place every two years in Lyon. Participants qualify for the competition during the national selection in their countries. The national competition in Norway is the Chef of the Year competition. In 2008, qualifiers for each continent were introduced for the first time before the final in Lyon. For Europe, it's the Bocuse d'Or Europe. In 2024, 20 European countries will participate in the fight for 10 places at the 2025 World Championships in Lyon. Norway is, together with France, the country that has won the most Bocuse d'Or victories in history.

Trøndelag – a place of culinary experiences

Trondheim hosts the Bocuse d'Or Europe 2024. A number of accompanying events and activities are planned both before and after the competition. In the Trøndelag region, systematic work has been carried out over the years to build a strong food and tourism region. This job is well embedded in regional and local business plans.