Blancpain Awards Geir Skeie, Bocuse D'Or 2009 Champion

Amidst a field of twenty-four talented chefs competing for the most coveted prize in gastronomy, Geir Skeie emerged the winner of the Bocuse D'Or 2009, claiming not only the prestige of victory, but a superb timepiece from luxury Swiss watchmaker Blancpain--official timekeeper of the event.  

The finalists of the 21st Bocuse D'Or competition represented countries around the globe, and found their abilities pushed to the limits, as they attempted to seduce the sophisticated palettes of an international jury of gastronomic luminaries, headed by the legendary Paul Bocuse.  Each competitor had the exact time of five hours and thirty-five minutes to prepare Aberdeen Angus Scottish Beef and items from the Norwegian Sea--customary ingredients in a meat and fish menu served to a group of fourteen.

As it turned out, Geir Skeie--a chef of the Restaurant Mathuset Solvold in Sandjeford, Norway proved to be the ultimate competitor.  Representatives of Blancpain presented Mr. Skeie with a Leman Flyback Chronograph Grande Date watch in stainless steel.  Fitted with a rubber-lined strap in hand-sewn alligator leather, this superb Blancpain timepiece with a slim column-wheel controlled chronograph movement is perhaps the perfect companion to remind the Bocuse D'Or winner that timing and technical excellence are equally important ingredients in the realization of success.