Gustav Leonhardt is the next chef to represent Sweden in the world’s most prestigious chef competition.
The final in Münchenbryggeriet
Based on the criteria of composition, taste, presentation and technique, Gustav Leonhardt ended up with the most points during an exciting final day at the Münchenbryggeriet in Stockholm. The other two finalists were Christian Siberg (chef at restaurant Omaka) and Martin Karlsson (Grenna Hotel). The jury included Jessie Sommarström (Chef of the Year 2022) and Adam Dahlberg (one half of Adam / Albin).
The two winning dishes, prepared for ten people each, consisted of the main ingredients haddock and pork loin. The contestants had four hours and 40 minutes to prepare and present the dishes to the jury.
Gustav’s entry was a pork leg stuffed with morel mushrooms and truffles, artichoke and boiled white asparagus flavored with wild garlic – and a baked haddock with Norway lobster and fennel, served with a “shell” filled with caviar, potatoes and tomato.
The win means that Gustav Leonhardt will represent Sweden in the Bocuse d’Or – the competition informally known as the Chefs’ Olympics – in 2024 and 2025. He will be accompanied by Sebastian Gibrand, a former silver medalist in the Bocuse D’Or and Nobel Prize-winning chef, as his coach and Noel Moglia as his commis (assistant).
Gustav Leonhardt
Gustav Leonhardt is only 26 years old, but has already managed to build a great track record. He has won two Olympic gold medals with the Junior National Team, was a commis when Sebastian Gibrand took his silver in the Bocuse d’Or 2019, and was named Chef of the Year 2021. After a time at Agrikultur, he now works with the fantastic title R&D ( research and development) at Tommy Myllymäki’s star restaurant AIRA on Djurgården.
– I am super happy, relieved and excited. All at the same time, and I’m so grateful for my entire fantastic team. I have been planning for this final for a long time and it is a dream to represent Sweden in the Bocuse d’Or. Now my hunt for the Swedish gold in Bocuse d’Or starts. says Gustav Leonhardt.
The road to Lyon
The next step for Gustav will be the European qualifying competition Bocuse d’Or Europe in Trondheim on March 19-20, 2024. From there, the next stop will hopefully be the big world final in Lyon in January 2025.
– It has been an incredibly exciting final with great performances and compositions from all candidates. I am very much looking forward to seeing this winning team develop and perform at an even higher level in the Bocuse d’Or competitions to come. says Tommy Myllymäki, President of the Swedish Bocuse d’Or.
