Denmark Chef Named Winner of Cultural Tourism DC’s Embassy Chef Challenge
Denmark Chef Named Winner of Cultural Tourism DC’s Embassy Chef Challenge
Chef Lars Beese, from the Royal Danish Embassy, Wins Top Honors at the International Culinary Competition
Washington, DC – Chef Lars Beese, chef for theRoyal Danish Embassy, won top honors at the third edition of Cultural Tourism DC’s Embassy Chef Challenge, the annual culinary competition for Washington, DC embassy chefs on April 12 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. Chef Beese won both the “Judge’s Choice” award, the top honor of the competition and the “Challenge Belgium” award, the preliminary competition. Chef Beese’s winning dish was a creamy asparagus soup and roast duck breast with apple and plum chutney. Chef Jose Luis Fernandez from the Embassy of Peru, won the “Peoples’ Choice” for his Peruvian ceviche. Embassy Chef Challenge was co-hosted by Cultural Tourism DC and the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.
Embassy Chef Challenge is an annual benefit for Cultural Tourism DC. The event serves to savor the arts, culture, and history of Washington, DC by supporting Cultural Tourism DC’s free programs and events throughout the year. The evening featured hors d’oeuvres, created for guests by DC embassy chefs, as well as a silent auction.
“I want to congratulate Chef Beese, Chef Fernandez, and all of this year’s competitors,” said Cultural Tourism DC Executive Director Linda Donavan Harper. “The chefs presented a wonderful taste of international cuisine and culture. We look forward to showing off many of these embassies again darning Passport DC, a month-long celebration of international events and activities in May.”
This year’s panel of judges included Joe Yonan, The Washington Post food and travel editor; Chef Jan Van Haute, chef-in-residence at the Embassy of Belgium and winner of Embassy Chef Challenge 2010; Chef Bruce Barnes, senior executive chef for Restaurant Associates, World Bank Group; Chef Maziar Farivar, chef and co-owner of Georgetown's Peacock Café; Chef Ann Cashion, Chef and Co-Owner of Johnny’s Half Shell; and Chef Xavier Deshayes, Executive Chef of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.
Chef Lars Beese
Royal Danish Embassy
A native of Svendborg, Denmark, Chef Lars Beese passed the chef exam in 2005 from the Hotel Nyborg Stand. In 2006, he moved to Copenhagen to work in Tivoli Garden at Balkonen Restaurant. He then cooked for the restaurant Nørrebro Bryghus. Chef Beese has served as the executive chef for the Danish ambassador since 2008.
Chef Jose Luis Fernandez
Embassy of Peru
Since April 2010, Chef Fernandez has served as the chef for the Peruvian Ambassador’s residency. He studied chef d’cuisine at the San Ignacio de Loyola, one of the most prestigious culinary schools in Peru. He also studied hotel management at inacap in Chile. Prior to moving to the United States, Chef Ferndandez worked as chef for 15 of the most prestigious restaurants and hotels in Peru. He has taught Peruvian cooking in numerous schools in Lima, Peru.
Embassy Chef Challenge 2011 chefs:
Chef Michael Nathan Adderley, Embassy of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas
Chef Yordan Dimitrov, Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria
Chef Wei Meng, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
Chef Lars Beese, Royal Danish Embassy
Chef Djamel Amroune, Embassy of the Republic of Iraq
Chef Yerlan Abdrakhmanov, Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Chef Jan-Erik Hauge, The Royal Norwegian Embassy
Chef Jose Luis Fernandez, Embassy of Peru
Chef Frida Johansson, Embassy of Sweden
Chef Kinskyi Serhii, Embassy of Ukraine
Chef Ángel López, Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Embassy Chef Challenge 2011 serves as an appetizer in supporting Cultural Tourism DC’s Passport DC, a month long celebration of international culture. In May, Washington, DC explores its international connections with embassy open houses, street festivals, special performances, exhibits, and much more. Many events are free or at low cost and open to the public.
Major sponsors of Embassy Chef Challenge 2011 include Mars, Incorporated, CropLife International, UPS, Whole Food Markets, George Washington University, King & Spalding LLP, Microsoft Corporation, Bonstra | Haresign Architects LLP, The Dow Chemical Company, The The Honorable Eugene and Carol Ludwig & Promontory Financial Group, Helen Hayes Awards, Monarc Construction, Incorporated, and Stanton Development Corporation.
About Cultural Tourism DC
An independent nonprofit coalition of more than 230 culture, heritage, and community-based organizations, Cultural Tourism DC and its members help residents and visitors experience DC’s authentic culture and heritage. For more information, visit www.CulturalTourismDC.org or call 202-661-7581.
###
City:
Washington, DC
Date:
April 14, 2011
Spread the Word
Testimonials
“The DC Jazz Jam has provided a tremendous boost to DC’s indigenous jazz scene. [The] cadre of fine musicians at Dahlak have managed to create a warm, inviting, encouraging, and creative environment at their weekly jam sessions, which is no small accomplishment. Experienced professionals, like myself, attend the jam to relax, stretch out musically, and network with other players. But at the same time, the DC Jazz Jam has proved to be the perfect setting for younger talent to come out, and have some of their first experiences playing in front of an audience and to learn their craft in the laboratory of a nurturing jam session. In this manner, the DC Jazz Jam is but the latest chapter in Washington’s long history with America’s classical music, jazz.”