Honolulu chef and restaurateur Alan Wong is just back from New York where he and a host of culinary glitterati selected the winner of the 2010 Bocuse d'Or USA Competition at the Culinary Institute of America.

Winner James Kent, from New York, will represent the United States at the Bocuse d'Or International Culinary Competition - the Olympics for chefs - in Lyon, France, a year from now.

The U.S. competition and the foundation that supports it is led by celebrity chef-restaurateurs Daniel Boulud and Thomas Keller, as well as Jerome Bocuse, son of competition creator Paul Bocuse.

“;I think when Paul Bocuse told Daniel and Thomas - he personally told them he wanted the U.S. team to win - it changed the ballgame for the United States. I think we will hear a lot more about the Bocuse d'Or competition in America,”; Wong said.

He is the only Hawaii member of the Bocuse d'Or USA Culinary Council, comprised of culinarians including his mentor, Andre Soltner of the famed but now-closed Lutece restaurant, where Wong worked in his early days.

“;It was really nice being with him because he was, I felt, like I was his son,”; Wong said. “;I hung out with him all the time and his French chef-buddies all his age. It was really humbling and grounding to be with those guys.”; Wong understands some French but would not describe himself as fluent.

The first U.S. Bocuse competition was staged in Orlando, Fla. This year it was in New York, and it is likely to occur in California next time. There is talk of regional competitions to winnow the ultimate finalist field.

The competition is not for entrants whose diplomas are fresh out of the convection oven, though a year of competition just about equals five years' experience, said Wong.

“;Imagine if Hawaii was to produce a Bocuse d'Or finalist,”; he said. “;Even if they didn't win, having a couple young culinarians from Hawaii raises the level of the next generation, because when you want to compete on that kind of a high level, you will get better and bring the people underneath you up, too. It can only be good, a win-win,”; he said.

ON THE NET:

» www.bocusedorusa.org
» www.alanwongs.com

MARKETER OF THE YEAR

Marriott Resorts Hawaii has been named Marketer of the Year by the American Marketing Association Hawaii Chapter and will be honored at an April 13 luncheon at the Hawai'i Convention Center.

Marriott's “;Spirit of Aloha”; tour across the mainland promoted the chain's Hawaii properties as well as Hawaii itself. It then staged a “;Tweet Yourself to Hawaii”; contest using the popular online social media service.

AMA-Hawaii's other awardees include Aloha Air Cargo, for Best Marketing of a New Product or Service; the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation for Best Nonprofit Marketing; and Bank of Hawaii for Best E-Marketing.

ON THE NET:

» amahawaii.org