LYON, France — A dark cloud has fallen over the 2013 Bocuse d’Or competition, matched appropriately by a light rain that fell on the thousands of fans, supporters and candidates as they left the SIRHA site in Lyon, France. In the end, Canada and the United States were once again kept off the winner’s podium in the 14th defeat in as many competitions held since 1987.

LYON, France — Canadians are walking tall in Lyon, France today, following a spectacular personal performance by Canadian chef Alex Chen and his assistant cook Jack Beers at the 2013 Bocuse d’Or competition. The winners will be announced in France after 7:30 p.m. today.

In light of the famed Bocuse d’Or Final Award Ceremony being held in Lyon, France Jan. 30, competition organizers are asking members to vote for the best poster representing a country.

Twenty-four countries are participating in the annual culinary competition, including Canada, U.S., France, U.K., Mexico and many others. New participating countries include Morocco, Sri Lanka and Hungary.

BRUSSELS, Belgium — Drought, hail and cold weather have damaged European grapes this year,
leading to the worst harvest in years, according to the European Union's farmers' union.

“Two big producing nations, France and Italy, have not known a harvest so weak in 40 to 50 years,"
Thierry Coste of the European Union's farmers' union was quoted as saying by the Province.com.