Philly chef aims for Bocuse d'Or glory

Jim Burke, who with his wife, Kristina, owns James in South Philly, will be in Hyde Park, N.Y., on the weekend of Feb. 5-6 to compete for a spot on the U.S. Bocuse d'Or team, which will compete next year in the world biennial culinary championship.

Burke will be one of 12 competitors, and is the only local. At his side will be Culinary Institute of America student Simon Solis-Cohen of South Philly, who has been commuting from CIA's Hyde Park campus to work with Burke on salmon and lamb recipes.

Kevin Sbraga, formerly culinary director for Jose Garces and now chef at Rat's in Hamilton Township, N.J., repped the U.S. in 2008.