Skeie runs two restaurants, both called "Brygga 11", in Sandefjord and Leirvik (close to his home town of Fitjar). He has beenchef de cuisine at Mathuset Midtåsen Solvold inSandefjord, owned by 1997 Bocuse d'Or bronze medallist Odd Ivar Solvold,[5] and has worked at restaurants Le Canard, Solsiden and Palace Grill inOslo and at Skarsnuten hotel inHemsedal.[13]
Skeie made the decision to pursue the Bocuse d'Or in 1993 when watchingBent Stiansen appear on the television program ofIngrid Espelid Hovig having become the first Norwegian to win the contest, and subsequently worked towards this goal for fifteen years,[10][14] spending the last two years perfecting the winning recipe.[15] In contrast to his fellow candidates in the 2009 finals who had lodgings in Lyon for making last preparations, Skeie rented a largesemi-trailer truck with an installed training kitchen.[14] He was coached by previous bronze Bocuse d'Or medallistOdd Ivar Solvold and then assisted bycommis Adrian Løvold,[16] having usedØrjan Johannessen as commis when he won the 2008 Bocuse d'Or Europe.[17]
After the contest, Skeie stated he was 90% satisfied with his performance.[7][16] The gold medal was won with a score of 1020 points, a comfortable margin over Swedish silver medalist Jonas Lundgren, who scored 994 points.[7][10]
Following a traffic accident that shattered his kneecap in 2006, Skeie has been told by doctors that a career as a chef will lead to early retirement while still in his 40s.[14]
