Bocuse d’Or Australia’s President Scott Pickett has revealed Philippe Mouchel will join Team Australia in a refreshed lineup for Team Australia’s bid for selection to compete in the world’s most prestigious culinary contest.
Philippe joins Candidate Chef Dan Arnold and Commis Chef Chris Milligan, while Scott is Australia’s representative for the judging panel as Jury Member.
Scott says it is a ‘dream team’ now that Philippe has returned to the team as Coach alongside Dan, who achieved Australia’s best ever Bocuse d’Or result at eighth place in 2017.
“As Paul Bocuse’s protégé, Philippe has been involved in Australia’s participation in the Bocuse d’Or competition from when it began more than 35 years ago,” explains Scott.
“He was my coach when I competed in 2005, and President when Dan competed eight years ago. Now Honorary Life President, Philippe has stepped back into the ring as we bid for selection for the Bocuse d’Or Grand Final, as one of the five teams from the Asia Pacific.”
The 2025 Grand Final is a very meaningful one for Team Australia. It is 20 years since Scott competed, and 30 years since Team Director Tom Milligan competed in 1995. Now his son Chris Milligan is Commis Chef, and might share the stage with France’s Candidate Paul Marcon, son of the 1995 winner, Régis Marcon.
Crucially for Dan, this will be the 20th anniversary of the year his mentor Serge Vieira won Bocuse d’Or in 2005.
“I was Serge’s right hand man at his restaurant in France for nearly seven years, he was like a second father to me,” he says. “It feels very important to me to represent Australia at this time and dedicate my efforts to him.”
This year the Bocuse d’Or Asia Pacific regional selection is taking place online, with chefs required to submit a recipe and photos of a dish using saddle of lamb, with side dishes and a sauce. Bocuse d’Or Academy Australia must also submit a dossier of information about its team and organisation. The five qualifying teams from Asia Pacific heading to Lyon for the Grand Final will be announced on 23 September.
“The Bocuse d’Or is very close to my heart, as are the memories of Messieurs Paul Bocuse and Serge Vieira,” says Philippe. “I am so proud to join the team again to support Dan, who I believe is one of the best chefs of his generation.”