Young chef Emilie Qvist Kjaergaard is opening a restaurant in the middle of nowhere and has impressed even René Redzepi for her courage. The 26 year old Danish chef, who has accumulated experience in places like Amass and Relae in Copenhagen and Blue Hill at Stone Barns in New York went to a small fishing town in the northern part of Jutland for the first time in February and will be opening a restaurant there next month. "It is a fishing village in the middle of nowhere. There is nothing but a harbour and 2,000 inhabitants. But instead of seeing it as a bad thing, we choose to see it as a good thing. We want to show that other parts of Denmark are great," Emilie told Andrea Petrini during an online panel discussion called Green Minds think Alike. René Redzepi, commenting on her decision to open the restaurant Medvind said he did not think people realised just how crazy this decision was. "The place where she is opening a restaurant is a really special place but it is … [Read more...]
“I’d rather be stable and work hard for five years to catch up financially” – René Redzepi
COPENHAGEN: When Noma reopens on 1 June it will be a special reopening despite the difficulties the restaurant has faced over the past months. With most of the team dispersed around the four corners of the world. René Redzepi has decided to wait for the reopening despite the financial and mental hardships of the past few months. And for the first day, he is inviting 100 guests who have made a difference in people’s lives throughout the pandemic. “At first we called hospitals and asked to invite doctors but they told us that this was not possible because of Danish rules on bribery. They are not able to accept any gifts. Instead we have called on our local guests to nominate someone that has made a difference. It could be a doctor, a nurse or someone who has carried the groceries for someone in need. We had 3,500 applications and our staff were crying going through the applications reading some of the heartbreaking stories. We want to bring in these people as a way of thanking them, … [Read more...]
Three-month residency at Mandala Club, Singapore for Mirazur
Mirazur is set to launch an exclusive 3-month residency in Singapore at Mandala Club. From the 14th May until the 11th August 2021 and for the first time in South East Asia, the Mirazur team will take over KIN and Clan Cafe at Mandala Club and offer guests a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the exceptional cuisine of Mirazur. This is the first time that Mauro Colagreco returns to Singapore after clinching the top spot in the World's 50 Best Restaurants list. Located in Menton, France on the stunning Côte d'Azur, Mirazur is the brainchild of chef-patron Mauro Colagreco. It holds the highest international accolades, including the ultimate three Michelin stars and the No.1 slot on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list. Mauro's culinary style is celebrated for seamlessly blending sea, garden, and mountain flavours. The residency will provide the perfect platform to share in Mirazur's signature Lunar Menus - driven by nature and aligning with the moon's … [Read more...]
Pass the baton: Relae has a new future
COPENHAGEN: Christian Puglisi, chef and owner of restaurants Relae, Manfreds, Baest, Mirabelle Bakery and Mirabelle Restaurant is one of the industry's top innovators. And he has proven it yet again with a new idea that will enable young chefs to prove their worth as he leaves them in the steering wheel. After deciding to close the restaurant last year, the chef of Relae and Manfreds has decided to give young talented chefs the opportunity to step onto a big stage. "I will leave my restaurant Relae in your hands if that is so. For 3 months, you will get the framework that has been a success for 10 years straight with your hands on the steering wheel. You set your team, your menu and your ambition." The chef said that after months of reflection he believes the future of Relae must be to pass the relay - and to leave it in the hands and ideas of the next generation. "Relae came to life after the financial crisis of 2008 where a small and humble basement was the only option … [Read more...]
El Barri, Albert Adria’s dream closes because of COVID-19
BARCELONA: El Barri, Albert Adria's dream, which he built together with the Iglesias brothers is being dissolved. The restaurant group of the Iglesias brothers which also comprises a partnership with Albert Adria that includes the el Barri group of restaurants (Tickets, Hoja Santa, Pakta and Bodega 1900) has declared bankruptcy according to Spanish press. El Barri was Albert Adria's dream to keep Barcelona in the international culinary limelight after the closure of the legendary el Bulli. The future of the restaurants is not yet known. The only restaurant that is sure to remain open for the time being is Enigma, a restaurant that was created by Albert Adria and which does not form part of the partnership with the Iglesias group. He told Efe on Thursday that he did not know whether it would open this year or next year. However, the acclaimed Spanish chef, who together with his brother Ferran Adria made many people dream with their gastronomic creations that revolutionised … [Read more...]
Two new restaurants awarded with a Michelin star in Malta
MALTA: Two restaurants have been awarded with a Michelin star in Malta bringing the total number of Michelin starred restaurants on the island to 5. Chef Andrew Borg and his team clinched one star for the newly opened ION - The Harbour in Valletta. On the other hand, chef Tyron Mizzi and his team at Bahia in the small village of Lija in the centre of the island is the other new entry. These restaurants join the existing one star restaurants that retained their star for the second consecutive year. These are De Mondion, Noni and Under Grain. Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides said the last year has created enormous challenges for the hospitality industry around the world. "Our hearts go out to all those facing difficulties in these trying times. Our inspectors, like the restaurants themselves, have had to adapt, but we were very pleased that they were able to spend time on the islands and find two new Michelin stars and five new Michelin 'Plates' to … [Read more...]
UnBOXed: Four chefs, one dinner
BRUSSELS: Cédric Allard, a story teller and foodie has created unBOXed, a way to reinvent gastronomy at home. He has brought together four chefs from two Michelin star restaurants in Belgium and Luxembourg to create a unique menu that will be served on three separate days May. The four chefs are Tim Boury of Boury Restaurant, Nick Bril of The Jane, David Martin of La Paix and Cyril Molard of Ma Langue Sourit have worked together to create different dishes for the 'box'. Artist Denis Meyes is also part of the project. The unBOXed concept aims to not be just a dinner but rather an experience that combines gastronomy, art, pleasure and excellence at home. It is bringing a restaurant at home in your comfort for a unique experience. Everything has been thought to create a restaurant experience down to the smallest details. All it takes for the dishes is just some time in the oven and the dishes are ready to be served. The dishes are dressed in the same way they would be at the … [Read more...]
2017 vintage of first Grand Cru from Himalayas released
Ao Yun, the first Grand cru from the Himalayas has released its 2017 vintage on 22 March. Ao Yun was born from a dream that began in 2008 to create a unique, world class fine wine in China. It is the first wine of its kind and brings a new region - Yunnan to the world winemaking map. The 2017 vintage boasts a concentrated yet fresh and velvety blend that symbolizes the wine that is made in a challenging climate. "Despite the challenging climate, the vintage is a reflection of the work we carry out in the vineyard and in our winemaking," said Maxence Dulou. "We managed to harvest powerful but ripe grapes and transformed them into a concentrated but fresh and velvety wine." The winery said that this was the most challenging vintage since the first in 2013. It started with a dry and warm winter which was followed by a cool spring that delayed growth in the vines. The summer was cool and too wet but in autumn a crucial window opened with a month of higher than average temperatures. … [Read more...]
Time to change at Jordnær: two families, one mission – well-being
Tina and Eric Kragh Vildgaard of restaurant Jordnær, a two Michelin star restaurant created inside a humble three-starred hotel in the suburbs of Copenhagen have been reflecting a lot over the past months during the time that restaurants have been closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the Danish government announced the date of the reopening of restaurants on May 6th, the restaurant will open only four days a week and in particular not on the weekend making it one of the only restaurants in Scandinavia, if not the only one to take this road. This is not being done out of necessity but a deliberate choice to seek a better and healthier balance between work and personal/family life that results in a happier, more motivated, well-rested and creative team. “We have 6 kids and they are getting older and older. They always participate in all kinds of activities during the weekends and we never get to be there because we chose to be in this industry. So why not try it?." … [Read more...]
Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura to open in Tokyo later this year
TOKYO: There is still no date set for the opening of Gucci Osteria Tokyo, a contemporary Italian restaurant created by one of the world's leading luxury fashion brand Gucci and world renowned chef Massimo Bottura. This will be the third outpost for Gucci Osteria. The first one was opened in January 2018 in Florence, Italy at the Gucci Garden. The second in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles opened in February last year. The third restaurant will open in Ginza later this year. It will be located on the top floor of Gucci Namiki - Gucci’s latest flagship store which will open on the 29th April - Gucci Osteria Tokyo will be curated by three-Michelin star chef Massimo Bottura in collaboration with Karime Lòpez, Head Chef of the original Gucci Osteria in Florence that was awarded its first Michelin star in the 2020. The restaurant will have its own dedicated entrance from street level. This will be the third global outpost for Gucci Osteria, the first of which opened in January 2018 at the … [Read more...]