Spoons welcomes winner of world cooking contest Chef Skeie

Chef Geir Skeie the award winning Norwegian chef and winner of the 2008 Bocuse d’OrEurope, and the 2009 Bocuse d’Or world final, takes helm at Spoons, Hilton Colombo’s contemporary fine dining restaurant from 9 to 12 March 2012.

Winning the biennial world chef championship- the Bocuse d’Or (the Concours mondial de la    cuisine, World Cooking Contest) trophy is one of the highlights of Chef Geir Skeie’s career.

The two day event takes place in Lyon, France at the SIRHA International Hotel, Catering and Food Trade Exhibition, and is one of the world’s most prestigious and challenging cooking competitions. The event which is frequently referred to as the culinary equivalent of the Olympic Games reflects Chef Geir Skeie’s culinary talents.

Hilton Colombo’s very own Executive Chef Rohan Fernandopulle was appointed as the President of Bocuse d’Or Sri Lanka by the International Bocuse d’Or committee this year. With this prestigious title in hand Chef Rohan was able to facilitate the arrival of the renowned Chef Skeie to Sri Lanka.

Speaking on the arrival of Chef Geir Skeie, Gigi De Silva, Marketing Communications Manager, Hilton Colombo stated: “It is with great pleasure that we welcome Chef Skeie to Sri Lanka and even more so at Spoons. This is one of the most unique experiences we can offer our diners and we are thrilled that we can work with Chef Skeie and introduce cuisine from his home country Norway to the Sri Lanka, it will be quite an experience.”

Chef Skeie launched a cookery book in 2009 called ‘World Champion Chef Geir Skeie a Tasty Journey from Childhood to Bocuse D’or’.

Currently Chef Skeie is a chef de cuisine at Mathuset Midtåsen Solvold in Sandefjord, owned by the 1997 Bocuse d’Or bronze medallist Odd Ivar Solvold. Having represented Norway across the globe he has cooked for many ambassadors, and represented Nordic food culture.

Chef Skeie previously worked at renowned restaurants such as the Le Canard, Solsiden, Palace Grill in Oslo and Skarsnuten hotel in Hemsedal. Chef Skeie made his decision to pursue the Bocuse d’Or in 1993 when he was inspired Bent Stiansen appear on the television program of Ingrid Espelid Hovig becoming the first Norwegian to win the contest.

This moment inspired him to follow his footsteps as he worked towards this goal for fifteen years, spending the last two years perfecting the winning recipe.

Chef Geir Skeie will showcase his culinary talent for guests between the 9th and 12th of March, with promotions for diners beginning on 10 March after an exclusive dinner for the Chaine des Rotisseurs members.

The arrival of Chef Geir Skeie is another highlight to Hilton Colombo’s anniversary festivities. As this year Hilton Colombo celebrates 25 years of service excellence, continuing to be the trendsetters in the industry and delivering on Conrad Hilton’s vision of spreading the light and warmth of hospitality, in Sri Lanka.