On May 28, Lithuania will become the epicenter of exceptional gastronomic events - on that day, not only will the updated list of restaurants rated by the prestigious Michelin Guide be announced, but also for the first time in our country, the national Bocuse d'Or competition will take place, the winners of which will open the door to the global culinary scene.
"Promoting tourism is one of our priorities, and the Michelin guide in Lithuania contributes to this. The globally recognized guide allows our country to increase tourist flows and strengthen its international reputation, helping to shape the image of Lithuania as an attractive travel destination. Participation in international competitions, such as the Bocuse d'Or, is also important, which further strengthens Lithuania's gastronomic potential. Such initiatives open up opportunities for our business, encourage the consumption of local products, and attract tourists," says Lukas Savickas, Minister of Economy and Innovation.
After last year's successful debut of Lithuania in the Michelin Guide, when a total of 34 restaurants were rated restaurants, and four of them have earned the prestigious Michelin stars, the gastronomic community is eagerly awaiting the ratings that the Michelin experts will give this year. The updated list of Lithuanian restaurants included in the guide and rated with stars will be published on the official Michelin Guide website on the morning of May 28.
On this occasion, representatives of the gastronomic community will gather in Vilnius, at the "Dūmų fabrika", who will not only rejoice together at the new restaurant ratings, but will also become witnesses of the "Bocuse d'Or" competition held in our country for the first time.
"Both the name of Lithuania in the Michelin guide and the first-ever national Bocuse d'Or competition are significant steps in establishing our country on the global gastronomic map. These events not only help attract gastronomic tourists, but also promote the growth of the culinary culture of the entire country. This is not only recognition of our chefs and restaurants, but also an incentive to continue improving and creating unique culinary experiences that make Lithuania famous all over the world," says the national tourism promotion agency VšĮ "Travel in Lithuania"Director Olga Goncharova.
Young and talented chefs will showcase their skills and ingenuity at the national Bocuse d'Or competition. Bocuse d'Or is a prestigious international culinary competition founded by legendary French chef Paul Bocuse in 1987. The competition takes place every two years in Lyon, France, and national qualifying rounds are organized around the world.
This competition is considered one of the most important and prestigious culinary events in the world. During it, the main attention is paid not only to aesthetics, technique and variety of flavors, but also to cultural traditions, ecology, food saving and local farms. Participation in this competition is the dream of many chefs and a gateway to the global gastronomic elite.
The organizers of the event, which will take place at the "Smoke Factory", the public organization "Travel Lithuania" emphasize that this special gastronomic event is just the beginning of broader initiatives aimed at raising Lithuanian cuisine to international heights.
"Working in parallel with two exceptional gastronomic names – Michelin Guide and Bocuse d'Or – we are taking an important step on the path of strengthening Lithuania's culinary identity. We hope that this event "will become a tradition that brings together the country's most talented chefs, food critics, gourmets and everyone who cares about authentic, creative and high-quality gastronomy," says O. Gončarova.
