Chef Mathew Leong and his team aim to elevate Singapore’s culinary reputation on the world stage at the prestigious Bocuse d’Or Grand Final in Lyon, 26-27 January 2025.

17 January 2025, SingaporeSingapore’s culinary prowess will be on full display as Chef Mathew Leong and his commis chef, Synva Knapstad Gjerde, prepare to compete at the prestigious Bocuse d’Or Grand Final in Lyon on 26 and 27 January.

Singapore is one of 24 countries advancing to the Bocuse d’Or Grand Final, following Chef Mathew’s outstanding performance in the Bocuse d’Or Asia-Pacific selection, the result of which was announced last September. The Grand Final will see Chef Mathew and Chef Synva complete two challenges simultaneously within 5 hours and 30 minutes, presenting them to 16 Tasting Jury members.

They will have 4 hours and 40 minutes to prepare and present 16 plates for the Theme On A Plate challenge, featuring a celery duo, meagre fish (stone bass), and lobster. Concurrently, they will work on the Theme On A Platter challenge, which has mandatory ingredients like venison, foie gras, and tea.

“The journey to Lyon has been one of immense preparation and growth,” shared Chef Mathew. “Every practice session has made me more confident and ready, bringing me closer to representing Singapore with pride. With the support of our extraordinary team and the encouragement from fellow Singaporeans, we are ready to showcase our culinary talent on the world stage.”

Since last November, Chef Mathew and his team have ramped up their training hours to 16-20 hours a day to perfect their competition creations. The practice sessions take place in Stavanger, Norway, in a state-of-the-art kitchen designed to mirror the competition environment.

Chef Mathew, the Executive Chef of Three Michelin-starred RE-NAA, is supported by an extraordinary group of Singapore-based culinary mentors, including Team Coach Julien Royer and Bocuse d’Or Singapore President Bruno Menard, who have guided the team’s strategy and execution. The 30-year-old has also handpicked a support team to work closely with him throughout the training process. In addition, Bocuse d’Or Singapore committee members and Chef Mentors, such as Christophe Lerouy, Beppe de Vito, and Jimmy Chok, will also travel to Lyon to cheer on the team and provide moral support.

SINGAPORE TOURISM BOARD: FOSTERING LOCAL TALENT FOR GLOBAL EXCELLENCE

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is proud to support Chef Mathew in this global culinary competition. Ms. Cherie Lee, Director, of Lifestyle and Attractions, Singapore Tourism Board said: “Chef Mathew’s participation in Lyon exemplifies the tireless dedication and unwavering commitment to culinary excellence that characterises Singapore’s top chefs. We are proud to support him as he showcases the innovation and creativity that defines Singapore’s dynamic culinary scene. We are confident Chef Mathew’s journey will inspire the next generation of local talent and elevate Singapore’s reputation as a culinary capital.”

As the Grand Final draws near, Bocuse d’Or Singapore calls on all Singaporeans to rally behind Chef Mathew and his team. Your support is crucial as they strive to elevate Singapore’s standing in the global culinary arena.

For more information or to view the live telecast of Bocuse d’Or GrandFinal on the 26th and 27th of January, log on to www.bocusedor.com/en or follow Bocuse d’Or’s Instagram page at @bocusedor.