Acclaimed Melbourne chef and restaurant owner Scott Pickett has been selected as the next President of Bocuse d’Or Australia. The organisation is responsible for selecting and training Australia’s representative at the world’s most prestigious culinary contest.
Former President Tom Milligan will transition to the role of Team Director, offering support to Pickett, alongside Vice President Deepak Mishra and Honorary Life President Philippe Mouchel.
Pickett himself competed in the Bocuse d’Or event in 2005 and has been an avid supporter of Team Australia since, including roles as a coach (2016-2021) and as Australia’s representative on the Jury at the Grand Final in January 2023.
“Competing in the Bocuse d’Or was one of the proudest moments of my life, and to now lead our team is an immense honour,” said Pickett, whose restaurants include Estelle, Matilda, Audrey’s, Chancery Lane, Longrain and Smith St Bistrot under the Scott Pickett Group brand.
Currently, Team Australia’s chef Paul Golding and commis chef Chris Milligan are training to compete in the regional qualifier, the Bocuse d’Or Asia Pacific 2024.
“The competition in Asia next year will be fierce, but our team will be more than ready,” said Pickett.
“Paul is a talented and dedicated chef – this, combined with coaching from some of Australia’s finest chefs, means he will surely be among the strongest contenders for gold next year in Asia.”
The Bocuse d’Or (Golden Bocuse) culinary contest is headquartered in France and was established by the iconic chef Paul Bocuse in 1987. Frequently referred to as the culinary equivalent of the Olympic Games, the event is the world’s most renowned cooking competition, where the preparation and cooking of all intricate dishes is performed in front of a live audience in a stadium-like atmosphere.
“There is nothing on earth like the Bocuse d’Or,” said Pickett.
“It brings together a vibrant community of elite chefs and promotes culinary innovation, ingenuity and imagination. Like an athlete, Paul will need to be fit, focused and ready to fight for Australia’s place at the world’s table, and I can’t wait to lead him on The Road to Lyon.”
