The Bocuse d’Or, established in 1987 by the legendary French chef Paul Bocuse, is a biennial competition renowned for its rigor and prestige. De Palma will be only the third woman to lead the U.S. team, following in the footsteps of Susan Weaver (1987) and Tracy O'Grady (2001). Notably, only one woman, Léa Lister from Luxembourg, has ever won the competition in its history.
Before her current focus on the competition, De Palma climbed the ranks at Addison, starting from a pastry chef position in 2007 to becoming chef de cuisine in 2016 at the age of 27. Her tenure at Addison saw the restaurant rise to its acclaimed three-Michelin-star status, a testament to her culinary prowess and dedication.
De Palma's journey to the Bocuse d'Or began with a victory at the Americas Selection in June 2024, where she and her commis, Bradley Waddle, led Team USA to a gold medal, defeating teams from Canada, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia among others. Their winning dishes, "California’s Celebration of Louisiana Shellfish" and "Golden State Soul: California Meets the Bayou," showcased a unique blend of local flavors and high culinary art.
The competition in Lyon will see De Palma and Waddle working for 5.5 hours to create two intricate themed platters under extreme pressure. The dishes are judged on presentation, taste, cooking techniques, hygiene, and originality by a jury consisting of culinary experts from 24 competing countries.
Preparation for this event has been intense. Since joining the Team USA training in Napa Valley in July 2023, De Palma has transformed from a celebrated restaurant chef to a focused competitor, with support from the Ment’Or Foundation. This organization, founded by chefs Jerome Bocuse, Daniel Boulud, and Thomas Keller in 2008, has been instrumental in mentoring and preparing American chefs for global competitions like the Bocuse d’Or.
The competition will be livestreamed, allowing fans and supporters, including her former colleagues at Addison, to follow her journey. Team USA's slot is scheduled for 8am PST on Sunday, January 25, with the awards ceremony set for 6pm PST on Monday. Historically, Team USA has had notable successes at the Bocuse d’Or, winning gold in 2017 under Chef Matthew Peters and silver in 2015.Ìý
Preparation for this event has been intense. Since joining the Team USA training in Napa Valley in July 2023, De Palma has transformed from a celebrated restaurant chef to a focused competitor, with support from the Ment’Or Foundation. This organization, founded by chefs Jerome Bocuse, Daniel Boulud, and Thomas Keller in 2008, has been instrumental in mentoring and preparing American chefs for global competitions like the Bocuse d’Or.
The competition will be livestreamed, allowing fans and supporters, including her former colleagues at Addison, to follow her journey. Team USA's slot is scheduled for 8am PST on Sunday, January 25, with the awards ceremony set for 6pm PST on Monday. Historically, Team USA has had notable successes at the Bocuse d’Or, winning gold in 2017 under Chef Matthew Peters and silver in 2015.Ìý
For those interested in following De Palma's performance or learning more about the competition, the livestream can be accessed at , and more about Team USA and the Ment’Or Foundation is available at .
