Bocuse d’Or Australia’s President Scott Pickett has revealed his lineup of chefs who will coach Paul Golding to represent Australia at the Bocuse d’Or Asia Pacific 2024, being held in China this September.
Headed up by Team Australia’s Coach Dan Arnold from Restaurant Dan Arnold in Brisbane, the panel comprises Jo Barrett from Little Picket in Lorne, Deepak Mishra from Pan Pacific Hotel Melbourne, Stephen Nairn from Omnia and Yugen in South Yarra, plus Josh Pelham from Crown Resorts.
“Training for Bocuse d’Or is just like training for the Olympics, and Paul will benefit from a support team to give feedback on his dishes as well as motivate and encourage him,” says Scott.
“Together with our Head Coach Dan Arnold, I believe Jo, Josh, Stephen and Deepak will give Paul and Chris their best chance of success at the regional qualifier in China this year.”
Paul Golding, Head Chef at Barn & Co. on the Mornington Peninsula, won the ‘Golden Knife’ trophy at the Bocuse d’Or Australia contest last year, assisted by young chef Chris Milligan, currently Chef de Partie at Society restaurant. Now they need to place in the top five teams at the Asia Pacific competition to qualify for the Grand Final in Lyon, France, being held in January 2025.
In this highly prestigious professional competition, Paul and Chris will have five and a half hours to create two dishes that include mandatory ingredients. The first is presented on a plate, and the second showcased on an intricate platter then plated for the judges – all in front of a large and loudly cheering live audience.
Scott will be among the judging panel and as Head Coach, Dan may assist from the pass, but cannot enter the small competition kitchen.
“Competing in the Bocuse d’Or is a dream come true for me and I can’t wait to work with these incredible chefs to hone my dishes for the Asia Pacific qualifier,” Paul says. “They are all busy people and I really appreciate the time and support they are giving me.
“I’m also grateful to my employer Barn & Co. for giving me time to train and compete, and also to Victoria University for providing excellent kitchen facilities where Chris and myself can train with the coaches.”
Scott adds that as a former Bocuse d’Or competitor, coach and now judge, he has seen first-hand how this elite contest raises the bar of dining in Australia and around the world.
“It is like a master’s degree for chefs,” he says. “The hard yards Paul is putting in, coupled with mentoring by these chefs at the top of their game, will definitely take his cuisine to the next level.”
Caption: Pictured above L-R are Stephen Nairn, Dan Arnold, Paul Golding, Chris Milligan, Deepak Mishra and Josh Pelham at a training session at Victoria University. Also on the coaching panel are Scott Pickett and Jo Barrett. Pic credit: Phil Romeril, Marcadet