METRO supports Bocuse d’Or 2019

During two days of intense competition at the Bocuse d’Or world final 2019 at the Sirha exhibition in Lyon, 24 national teams will demonstrate live their culinary class and creativity. The finalists, selected through national and continental qualifications over the previous 18 months, must prepare two defined themes of two traditional French cuisine in memory of two late legends of Bocuse d’Or. While the Platter theme “rack of suckling veal 5 prime chops” paying tribute to the founder of the competition Paul Bocuse, the Plate theme “Vegetable Chartreuse with shellfish” is dedicated to Joël Robuchon, a key figure associated with the contest since its inaugural edition. The session will take 5 hours and 35 minutes.

As one of the main sponsors of the prestigious cooking show, METRO also plays the role of ingredient supplier for the contestants, a strong testament to its competence in food assortment, quality and freshness. The French subsidiary METRO France will supply the finalist chefs with all four designated ingredients for the Chartreuse, namely, Irish Rope Mussels, Cave a Huitres Oysters, Cockles, and French Scallops (without shell).

In addition, as this year’s competition requires the Chartreuses must contain a minimum of 50% vegetal products, METRO France will set up a provisional vegetable market on site at the Sirha offering about 120 products. 24 teams are required to select vegetable ingredients from the market on the eve of the competition, a unique challenge of gastronomy creativity and innovation that is long promoted by Bocuse d’Or.

Of the 24 national teams in the final, four are supported by METRO’s local companies including France, Italy, Hungary and Belgium. The teams have benefited from close partnership with METRO whose distinctive food and gastronomy competence is instrumental in chef’s training and preparations leading up to the Lyon final.

METRO is a leading international wholesale company with food and non-food assortments that specialises on serving the needs of hotels, restaurants and caterers (HoReCa) as well as independent traders. Around the world, METRO has some 24 million customers who can choose whether to shop in one of the large-format stores, order online and collect their purchases at the store or have them delivered. METRO in addition also supports the competitiveness of entrepreneurs and own businesses with digital solutions and thereby contributes to cultural diversity in retail and hospitality. Sustainability is a key pillar of METRO’s business. METRO has been the sector leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the last four years. The company operates in 35 countries and employs more than 150,000 people worldwide. In financial year 2017/18, METRO generated sales of €36.5 billion. In September 2018 METRO AG initiated the divestment process for the food retail chain Real with its 34,000 employees.