ERFURT, Germany — After six days of intense competition, The World Culinary Olympics-IKA/Inoga 2012 have come to a celebratory close in Germany where red deer, pumpkin purée, lemon-infused cucumbers and other select components contributed to Team Sweden’s overall win.

“What a fantastic team I have the privilege to lead. I've never experienced such team spirit. One for all and all for one,” said Swedish team manager, Krister Dahl.

“It was an exchange of creative ideas, and [it was] unbelievable to win a grand slam. We're winners in [cold display and hot food and], of course, overall Olympics champs.”

In the national race, Sweden accrued 94.70 points, edging Norway who earned 91.22 points and Germany with 89.33 points. The Swedish menu was comprised of ingredients indigenous to the Scandinavian country. Overall, the Canadian Culinary Team scored 89.15, placing in the top five, ahead of Switzerland (87.69). Team U.S.A. scored 87.64 points, placing sixth.

Sweden also swept the regional category with the Stockholm Culinary team taking the category with 90.7 points. Second and third place went to Culinary Team Alberta (90.5) and Switzerland’s Aargauer Kochgilde (89.2), respectively.

In the Junior category, Sweden again placed at the top with 93.41 points. Norway was next with 93.10 points and Switzerland placed third with a score of 90.44. Canada's junior national team earned 84.35 points and placed 8th overall.

For more details, and medal wins, visit 2012.olympiade-der-koeche.de.

Photo courtesy of Birgit Lehmann

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