The Grand final of the Bocuse d’Or 2016/2017 in Lyon will feature the official competition and collector's plates from the Artesano Professionale collection by Villeroy & Boch.

The Bocuse d’Or, arguably the most famous top international cooking contest, takes place every two years and brings together the best chefs in the world. Following national and international preliminary rounds, 24 chefs have qualified for the final on 24 and 25 January 2017, to be held at the Sirha trade fair in Lyon, the home city of the competition's namesake and founder Paul Bocuse.

Once again this year, Villeroy & Boch is supplying the official competition and collector's plates.

Exclusive Bocuse d'Or collector's plate by Alain Vavro

As a "Membre associé du Bocuse d’Or", Villeroy & Boch is supporting the competition for the twelfth successive year as a member and tableware partner. The company was also close to the action during national and continental elimination rounds this year - attending events in France, Belgium, Mexico and Singapore. As well as the official competition plate, this time from the Artesano Professionale collection, there is also an exclusive limited edition Bocuse d'Or collector's plate, featuring a decor designed traditionally by Alain Vavro. This year, the plate's decor is inspired by the themes of “sustainability” and “responsibility for nature’s products”.

Together with his wife Dominique, the renowned French artist has developed a design in warm pastel shades to mark the 30th anniversary of the competition, presenting a chef in the role of orchestra conductor - directing his culinary ingredients.

A 100% vegetarian competition dish

The organisers are marking this great anniversary with a new feature: for the first time ever, the finalists are being asked to prepare a vegetarian dish. For many years, any dish that was completely free from meat or fish was regarded as incomplete and many chefs would not have dreamed of featuring it on their menus. The International Organisation Committee wants to make a statement on this discussion and is issuing the 24 finalists a meat-free and fish-free menu plan.

"Cooking is beautiful only when it brings us closer to nature," said Régis Marcon, President of the Organisation Committee, explaining the decision. For their "dish on a plate", the candidates are being asked to prepare and present to the international jury a dish made solely from fruit, vegetables, seeds, cereals and pulses, as well as two individual products from their own home country. For the meat platter, the chefs will prepare a recipe based on Japanese wagyu beef.

Photo: Bocuse d'Or 2016/2017, Alain & Dominique Vavro