Top Chef finalist and fan favorite Kevin Gillespie has dropped out of the prestigious Bocuse D'Or competition, citing lack of ample preparation time. Gillespie, known for his cheery personality and beard with a life of its own, was invited to compete in the Bocuse d'Or USA cooking competition, for the opportunity to be the U.S. representative in the 2011 international Bocuse d'Or. He won the berth after winning a
Top Chef episode.
"He didn't have time to prepare," Gillespie's rep Melissa Libby told
Toqueland, where the news was first reported. "He didn't want to let the country down. He felt like there was somebody else who deserved that spot. He's a perfectionist and didn't feel like he could do his best with everything going on."
Gillespie was replaced by Jim Burke, executive chef and owner of James restaurant in Philadelphia.
Libby adds that the committee has offered to let Gillespie defer his place in the slate until 2013 (the current selection is for the 2012 Bocuse D'Or). By that time, the commitment should be able to fit well into the 27-year-old chef's schedule.
"Absolutely, he'll compete in 2012!" says Libby. "He wants to do this. It's a huge goal of his. But he didn't want to go in unprepared."
The Bocuse d'Or USA finals will be held on February 5 and 6.
Source: Toqueland
(Image courtesy of Liz Cooks)