THE WINNER OF THE NATIONAL ROUND OF THE FAMOUS BOCUSE D'OR COOKING COMPETITION IS DOMINIK UNČOVSKÝ
In Prague's O2 arena today, May 6, the top three-day cooking competition - the Czech national round of the world's most prestigious cooking competition Bocuse d'Or - ended. By the decision of the international jury, Dominik Unčovský became the winner, Patrik Bečvář finished in second place and Vojtěch Petržela took home the bronze medal. The winner of the grand final won the chance to apply for participation in the European round of Bocuse d'Or, which will be held in Trondheim in 2024, and a bonus of CZK 100,000.
"My feelings are indescribable, I didn't expect to win at all because it was our first big competition. We put everything into it - not just me, but my entire team, I couldn't have done it without them," Dominik Unčovský responded immediately after the results were announced.
Dominik Unčovský learned from renowned professionals - as a novice chef at the Prague Culinary Institute he assisted in the creation of cookbooks by Roman Vaňek and Zdeňko Pohlreich. In the following years, he worked in well-known establishments such as La Finestra in Cucina, Sanscho and Mánes, he also tried the kitchens of mountain hotels in the Alps and Jeseníky Mountains and completed a one-month internship in India. Since last year, he has been an ambassador of the Macro Academy.
The national round of Bocuse d'Or was part of the unique gastronomic festival MAKRO CZECH GASTRO FEST, which took place in the O2 arena to the great interest of the professional and lay public from May 4 to 6. Ten finalists, young professional chefs, for the national round of Bocuse d'Or were selected from the registered candidates by the Academy of Bocuse d'Or Czech, made up of renowned Czech chefs. The finalists and their team had to completely prepare two hot dishes in 5 hours and 35 minutes. The obligatory part of the first course, served on a large tray, was rabbit loin and rabbit leg. For the topic on the plate, a warm vegetarian meal was chosen with two mandatory ingredients – potatoes and garlic in different varieties. The raw materials for the individual competition topics were supplied by the general partner of Bocuse d'Or Czech, the company makro ČR.
"We've had three amazing days filled with totally positive energy. The national round of Bocuse d'Or Czech showed not only the high level of Czech gastronomy, but also how we can pull together when it really matters. We will continue to support the winner Dominik Unčovský as much as possible and keep our fingers crossed for him to advance to the European round," said Marek Fichtner, president of the Bocuse d'Or Czech Republic.
