U.S. Takes Home Silver Medal in Bocuse d'Or 2015

Bocuse d'Or — the Olympics-like French culinary competition that takes place every two years in January in Lyon, France — announced its winners today after two days of intense kitchen competition. A total of 24 countries were represented this year. Norway took home the gold; the U.S. won the silver medal; and Sweden took home a bronze for third place. This was the first year the Americans placed higher than sixth in the international competition. The American team was led by Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, and Gavin Kaysen. French Laundry executive sous chef Philip Tessier and his commis Skylar Stover rounded out the American team.

The anticipation had been building all morning:

Dedication, effort and honor! We are ready to hear the results! #teamhungary #bocusedor2015 pic.twitter.com/NpGTXEg4Ih

— Bocuse d'Or Hungary (@bocusehungary) January 28, 2015

This year, Chicago-based chef Grant Achatz served as honorary president of the jury.

Love the final fantasy music in the background of the #bocusedor2015 announcements. Go #TeamUSA

— David Nayfeld (@DavidNayfeld) January 28, 2015

Earlier this morning, Japan took home the medal for best fish dish, and Finland won for best meat dish. It was the first year that France did not place among the top five awards.

Gagnant Bocuse de Bronze 2013 Winner | Assiette poisson/Fish Plate - Japan | Noriyuki Ha... http://t.co/56Tkq7oWjN pic.twitter.com/5Bh0wSlHpg

— HipsterFood (@hipsterfoods) January 24, 2015

Sweden came in third with a bronze finish:

Brons till #Sverige yihoooooo!!!! Bronse pour la # Suede #Bocusedor2015 #bocusedor pic.twitter.com/PzB5RG159j

— Elisabeth Dennerlid (@elisadennerlid) January 28, 2015

Here's the American team's reaction to their second place win:

Bocuse d'argent pour les U.S.A #BocuseDor2015 congrats @Chef_Keller and team !!! pic.twitter.com/JjadEAIpUn

— Hélène Clément (@HeleneWorldWine) January 28, 2015

Team U.S.A.'s big name support included Thomas Keller, Grant Achatz, Daniel Boulud, and Gavin Kaysen:

Wow wow wow wow wow wow!!!! #bocusedor2015 congrats #TeamUSA @Chef_Keller @Gachatz @DanielBoulud @gavinkaysen #SilverMedal

— David Nayfeld (@DavidNayfeld) January 28, 2015

#goforpodium #GoUSA #bocusedorusa #bocusedor #lyon #philliptessier @gavinkaysen @chef_keller @Gachatz

A photo posted by Daniel Boulud (@danielboulud) on Jan 28, 2015 at 9:30am PST

A photo of Team USA's meat dish, which looks like something out of Star Trek:

Silver goes to USA! #bocusedor2015 pic.twitter.com/QarcXjpvMw

— ElizabethOnFood (@ElizabethOnFood) January 28, 2015

Team USA's fish dish:

USA Fish dish #bocusedor2015 #bocusedor pic.twitter.com/zxjsyz5125

— ElizabethOnFood (@ElizabethOnFood) January 28, 2015

And Norway, with the top prize:

@margauxsalcedo NORWAY wins the 2015 Bocuse d'Or! #bocusedor2015 #Sirha2015 #margauxliciousLyon Congrats Norway!!! pic.twitter.com/w9jBQg7D9x

— Margaux Salcedo (@margauxsalcedo) January 28, 2015

And the winner is... Norway! Congratulations ! #Bocusedor2015 #Sirha2015 @Sirha_Lyon pic.twitter.com/lMNPCeG77a

— ONLYLYON (@OnlyLyon) January 28, 2015

Last time around, France won the gold, with Denmark in second place, and Japan in third.