In 2016 Budapest will be hosting the European final of the Bocuse d’Or chef competition. Hungexpo’s hard work in championing the cause of quality gastronomy in the last six years largely contributed to this success.

Organising the Hungarian final last year and the winner’s participation in the 2015 Lyon final was part of the preparation for 2016. CEO Gábor Gánczer told us that two Hungarian stands were set up at the Lyon fair in Hungexpo’s organisation: a collective stand introducing premium quality ingredients and products from Hungary and a mini gastronomy centre in the VIP sector, where 8 Hungarian top restaurants were welcoming visitors – more than 1,500 of them in the 5-day period. The Budapest bid beat contenders for the 2016 final such as London, Vienna and Lodz, thanks the trade and the government’s joining forces. As for the next steps: there is going to be a press conference in March, where Jerome Bocuse will also be present. An international committee will start working, with the representatives of Hungexpo, the Academy and SIRHA’s licence owner GL Event as members. The venues of the competition and the gala dinner have already been selected, the theme and the programme are ready. (x)