What can a master chef cook in a Scania truck?
22 JANUARY 2025
When Team Sweden competes in Bocuse d’Or at the end of January—the world’s most prestigious competition for chefs—a Scania biogas truck ensures their precious equipment arrives safely at Lyon.
The transport solution that brings all the team needs to France is sponsored by Scania. “Biogas is an excellent way to lower emissions. And to transport kitchen equipment and groceries in a truck fuelled by residual products/organic waste from cooking makes even more sense,” says Helen Melchert, Brand Manager.
Scania’s involvement started with the qualification round in Trondheim, Norway in 2024, where Scania Sverige handled the transport in a similar vehicle. “Of course, we want to ensure the team has the best prerequisites this time around as well since it is the world final,” Melchert continues.
What to bring
“It’s vital for us that the equipment arrives in time for the competition,” says Peter Asp Jelksäter, Coach for Team Sweden Bocuse d’Or 2024-25. First, they pack their favourite kitchen utensils: a grapefruit knife, a dough-scraper, the mandoline, a tiny grater and the pestle. “Then we add our specially designed kitchen. We must bring everything except an oven, stove and fast freezer. Not to forget the amazing Swedish ingredients.”
The final in Bocuse d’Or is in Lyon on 26-27 January. To make sure everything is in place, the journey from Sweden will begin a week ahead of the competition. Chefs from all over the world will gather in this prestigious event that began back in 1987. Sweden has participated since the beginning, something that has strengthened and developed Swedish gastronomy, reaching a high international standard.
The team has practised, preparing the menu they will make on the competition day eight times, with input from experts. “The mindset is similar to Scania’s. It’s necessary to have a flow in the kitchen, with great precision. Just like we work with lean in our production,” Melchert adds.
Matching sustainable goals
Andreas Stenberg is CEO of Restaurangakademien and responsible for Bocuse d’Or Sweden. For him, sustainability is what he appreciates most: “The whole industry needs to be sustainable. In this competition, the focus is greater than ever on minimising waste. So transporting our things in a biogas truck resonates with us.”
“With our transport solution, we ensure we bring the equipment to Lyon on time, and in a sustainable way. The smart solutions, that’s our competence, and that’s why we’re in on this,” Melchert says.
Equipment for a food-loving truck driver
For the foodie truck driver, Asp Jelksäter is clear on what would be a dream to have in the truck: a charcoal grill, a stable foldable table with a nice chair for comfort, a toolbox with the favourite salt, a pepper grinder, olive oil, a lemon squeezer, and, to top it off, a white crisp linen tablecloth. Watch him prepare a meal on the road in the video above.
