Chef Geir Skeie
© AFP/Scanpix Alf Ove Hansen

OSLO (AFP) - Skeie was among chefs from 20 European countries in this first regional round of the international Bocuse d'Or competition, a bi-annual event created in 1987.

The Bocuse d'Or Europe winner, who celebrated his 28th birthday on the same day, took home 12,000 euros (around 19,000 dollars).

Currently working at an haute cuisine restaurant in Sandefjord, Norway, Skeie was named young chef of the year in 2001 and 2002, and Norway's chef of the year in 2006.

The 20 competing chefs prepared dishes using Norwegian salmon and lamb.

Danish chef Jasper Kure won second place, with a 9,000-euro prize, while Swedish Jonas Lundgren came in third place to grab 6,000 euros.

Twelve of the chefs who competed in this competition will go on to take part in the world Bocuse d'Or, which organisers have dubbed the "Formula 1" of gastronomy.

France has been the most prolific winner in that competition, created by celebrity chef Paul Bocuse and staged in the French city of Lyon, followed by Norway.

©AFP