The MICHELIN Guide Nordic Countries 2022 recognizes outstanding culinary talent

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  • 2 new restaurants receive Two MICHELIN Stars
  • 11 new restaurants awarded One MICHELIN Star
  • 5 new restaurants awarded a MICHELIN Green Star for their commitment to sustainable gastronomy

Today, Michelin unveiled the new selection of restaurants for the MICHELIN Guide Nordic Countries from Stavanger, Norway. The 2022 edition of the Guide features a total of 255 restaurants, including 74 Starred restaurants, 32 establishments awarded a Bib Gourmand and 38 highlighted with a MICHELIN Green Star. Illustrating the creativity and dynamism of the Nordic culinary scene, 11 new restaurants in the five countries covered by the Nordic Countries selection – Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden – have been awarded a MICHELIN Star, while two others were promoted from One Star to Two Stars.

"Since the launch of our Nordic selection in 2014, our inspectors have continually been impressed by the culinary avant-gardism of the local restaurants. From Denmark to Sweden, Finland to Norway and Iceland, these destinations shine with the personality and boldness of their chefs, who are internationally renowned gastronomic trend-setters", said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides. "In addition to this remarkable creativity, Nordic restaurants are also a great source of inspiration when it comes to imagining the contours of a more sustainable gastronomy. The growing number of MICHELIN Green Stars in our selection illustrates that awareness and action are part of the daily philosophies of many Nordic restaurateurs.”

Frederikshøj in Denmark, and Palace in Finland, were awarded a second MICHELIN Star 

Two new restaurants were promoted from One to Two Michelin Stars, bringing the total number of Two-Starred restaurants in the Nordic Countries Guide to 14.

Located in Aarhus, within the former staff lodge of the Royal Palace, Frederikshøj is a smart and luxurious restaurant, offering great views over the gardens and out to sea. It opened it 2009 and was awarded its first Star in 2015 – the first year that Aarhus was covered by the MICHELIN Guide – and this second Star illustrates how they have continued to evolve and strive for excellence here. It was working in some of Denmark’s finest restaurants that provided Wassim Hallal with his respect for the classical kitchen. He uses this extensive experience but has added his own blend of originality and personality to create bold, daring dishes which have the occasional playful element but still respect the classics. The superb sauces add to the sophistication of the dishes.  

Set in the heart of Helsinki is Palace, located on the 10th floor of a modernist building constructed in 1952 for the Olympic Games. Not only are the views over the harbour remarkable but, of course, the cuisine too. Eero Vottonen and his team offer a tasting menu of sophisticated, modern cooking where modern Nordic recipes combine with French and Japanese influences. Superb ingredients underpin well-balanced dishes which are precise, refined and beautifully presented.  Dishes are finished tableside by the chefs themselves, which adds to the experience. The awarding of Two Stars here is particularly poignant as this landmark restaurant gained Helsinki’s first Star in 1987.

11 new restaurants received a MICHELIN Star for the first time

Eleven new restaurants across the five Nordic countries covered by the MICHELIN Guide have received their first Star in the 2022 selection. Iceland has a new Starred restaurant, ÓX, located in Reykjavík, run by talented chef Thráinn Freyr Vigfússon. The best Icelandic produce is showcased in highly personalised dishes, which oscillate between traditional flavours and modern touches, and are brought to the table by the chefs themselves.

In Finland, restaurant Kaskis, in Turku, has become the first MICHELIN Star outside Helsinki. Here, chefs Erik Mansikka and Simo Raisio have created a tasting menu with bold flavours and colours, and fine, delicate combinations.

In Denmark, in Nykøbing Sjælland and Copenhagen respectively, two restaurants have also been awarded a Star: MOTA, by chef Claus Henriksen, who creates dishes with a seafood and vegetable base, and Jatak, orchestrated by chef Jonathan Tam, which offers modern cuisine combining top-quality Danish ingredients with strong Asian flavours.

In Norway, four new restaurants have been awarded a MICHELIN Star in the 2022 selection. Three in Oslo: Hot Shop by chef Jo Bøe Klakegg, Hyde from British chef Matthew North, and Schlägergården, led by Bjørn Svensson. Set within a former sex shop, Hot Shop is a friendly, canteen-style neighbourhood bistro, whose surprise tasting menu is based on the best seasonal, local ingredients available. Hyde, with its low lighting, loud music, laid-back, lively atmosphere and super-friendly service is the perfect location for a fun evening out. Food is bold and punchy, and natural wines are particularly well-chosen. Schlägergården, which sits within a remote 18C farmhouse, showcases superlative local produce – including some they have foraged, grown or preserved themselves – in pure, expertly crafted dishes which have bold, emotive flavours. In Bergen, on the southwest coast of Norway, Lysverket is also awarded a Star. Chef Christopher Haatuft opened this restaurant in 2013 within an art museum. Seasonal ‘short’ and ‘long’ menus showcase the Norwegian larder, and the intelligently crafted, balanced dishes burst with flavour.

Finally, there are three new One Star restaurants in Sweden. In Stockholm, Nour by chef Sayan Isaksson pays tribute to his roots by combining Asian elements with Swedish ingredients in an original way. Also in Stockholm, Adam / Albin, where chefs, Adam Dahlberg and Albin Wessman opened 6 years ago, offers a highly personable experience, with the two chefs adding a little theatre to proceedings by finishing their dishes at the table and explaining the make-up of their original, intricate creations. In Rydöbruk, restaurant Knystaforsen, which sits in an old sawmill in delightful spot between the river and the woodland, puts nature at the center of everything they do, from the excellent local ingredients to the skillful cooking which takes place over an open flame. Chef Nicolai Tram even serves one course outside around the campfire.

In total, the 2022 MICHELIN Guide Nordic Countries selection highlights 56 One Star restaurants.

Five new restaurants are awarded a MICHELIN Green Star for their sustainable commitments

Five restaurants are newly awarded a MICHELIN Green Star, bringing the number of Green Star restaurants in the Nordic Countries Guide to 38 out of a total of 255, representing almost 15% of the selection. This is one of the highest percentages across all of the MICHELIN Guides worldwide, which illustrates how the Nordic Countries are currently leading the way in eco-friendly gastronomy. Not only do they use local, sustainable suppliers, work to lower their food waste and follow initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint, but they put sustainability at the heart of everything they do, offering guests inspiring and educational culinary experiences.

The 5 new additions are: Natura, in Helsinki, Finland; DILL, in Reykjavík, Iceland; Jossa Mat & Drikke, in Trondheim, Norway; Knystaforsen in Rydöbruk and Oxenstiernan in Stockholm, both in Sweden.

Four Special Awards were awarded to highlight talented teams
More committed than ever to promoting the diversity of gastronomic professions and showcasing the players who bring the expertise required for top-level dining experiences to life, the MICHELIN Guide has once again sought out particularly talented professionals.

The MICHELIN Welcome and Service Award, sponsored by Ferrari Trento, goes to Heidi Bjerkan and the team at Credo, Trondheim, Norway. In this restaurant, unusually located in a former tank factory, guests are warmly greeted by every member of the team and treated in a professional, attentive manner by Heidi Bjerkan and her t friendly young staff. Ever-present and always aware of her diners’ needs, whether that is serving at the pass, pouring wines or chatting to guests, Heidi is at home in every situation.

Christina Haukka, from restaurant Kaskis, Turku, Finland, is awarded the MICHELIN Sommelier Award, offered by Consorzio Barbera d’Asti. Christina Haukka’s relaxed yet very attentive approach when she demonstrates her extensive knowledge of wines, really impressed the MICHELIN inspectors. Trained in Paris and with lots of experience in some top restaurants, she continues to expand her knowledge and has a refreshing, open-minded and inquisitive approach, as her keen interest in sake illustrates.

Jimmy Øien, head chef and owner of restaurant Rest., Oslo, Norway, receives the MICHELIN Young Chef award. After spending his formative years in the kitchens of the Palace Grill, Jimmy Øien took part in the Bocuse d’Or as part of the Norway national team. In 2018, with two friends, Jimmy opened Rest. – a restaurant with a strong ethos for using what many would discard, and a simple mantra: waste not, want not. This approach has already been recognized with a MICHELIN Green Star and, this year, the Michelin inspectors decided to award Jimmy the MICHELIN Young Chef award for his culinary skills and ambitious vision, which is rare for such a young chef.

Finally, as a tribute to his willingness to share his knowledge and skills, Wassim Hallal, chef-owner at restaurant Frederikshøj, in Aarhus, Denmark, wins the MICHELIN Chef Mentor Award, presented by Rossini Caviar. Chef Wassim Hallal moved to Denmark in 1985 and, after working in some of the country’s best restaurants, established his own restaurant, Frederikshøj, in 2009. Over the years in his many kitchens, he has passed on his guiding principles to many young chefs, providing training and encouragement, and helping to create the next generation of talented Danish chefs.

5 new restaurants awarded a Bib Gourmand

Launched in 1997 to highlight restaurants offering good food at a great price, the Bib Gourmand has grown over the years to become a very popular award among gourmets. Five new restaurants – Møf in Aarhus and Bjørnekældere, in Copenhagen, both in Denmark; Jossa Mat & Drikke, in Trondheim, Norway; Mathias Dahlgren-Matbaren in Stockholm and Ruths in Malmö, both in Sweden – are joining the list this year, bringing the total number of great quality, great value restaurants to 32.

The full selection of the MICHELIN Guide Nordic Countries 2022 is available free of charge on the MICHELIN Guide website and app. The restaurants join the MICHELIN Guide selection of hotels, which features the most unique and exciting places to stay in the Nordics and throughout the world.

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Every hotel in the Guide is chosen for its extraordinary style, service, and personality — with options for all budgets — and each hotel can be booked directly through the MICHELIN Guide website and app. The selection for the Nordic countries currently features 125 of the region's most spectacular hotels, including sustainability pioneers like Zoku Copenhagen, hotels from our “Plus” collection like Stockholm’s Ett Hem, and architectural marvels like the ION Adventure Hotel in Iceland. 

The MICHELIN Guide is a benchmark in gastronomy. Now it’s setting a new standard for hotels.

In order to share with gourmets some of the best discoveries the Michelin inspectors make throughout the year, the MICHELIN Guide has developed a new approach: each month, a few restaurants that have impressed the team will be added to the selections and highlighted with a ’New’ label. Stars, Bib Gourmands and Green Stars remain annual awards, which will be announced during the MICHELIN Star Revelation Ceremonies, but gourmets are invited to explore these places right away: among them, could be the MICHELIN Stars of 2023!

The MICHELIN Guide Nordic Countries selection at a glance:

255 recommended restaurants including:

- 4 MICHELIN Three Star restaurants;

- 14 MICHELIN Two Star restaurants (2 new);

- 56 MICHELIN One Star restaurants (11 new);

- 38 MICHELIN Green Star restaurants (5 new);

- 32 MICHELIN Bib Gourmand restaurants (5 new).

FIND THE PICTURES OF THE MICHELIN STAR REVELATION NORDIC COUNTRIES HERE:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/h3gxes860mx5fjr/AAAcZjj_-5QQDcPXiKYVOi-ja?dl=0

Photo credit:

Steffen Vidar Jenssen & Fabel Media
Instagram : @steffenvidar_jenssen / @fabelmedia

THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS FOR SUPPORTING OUR MICHELIN STAR REVEAL EVENT

About Michelin

Michelin, the leading mobility company, is dedicated to enhancing its clients’ mobility, sustainably; designing and distributing the most suitable tires, services and solutions for its clients’ needs; providing digital services, maps and guides to help enrich trips and travels and make them unique experiences; and developing high-technology materials that serve a variety of industries. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 177 countries, has 124,760 employees and operates 68 tire production facilities which together produced around 173 million tires in 2021. (www.michelin.com)

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The 2022 edition of the Guide features a total of 255 restaurants, including 74 Starred restaurants, 32 establishments awarded a Bib Gourmand and 38 highlighted with a MICHELIN Green Star.
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Since the launch of our Nordic selection in 2014, our inspectors have continually been impressed by the culinary avant-gardism of the local restaurants. From Denmark to Sweden, Finland to Norway and Iceland, these destinations shine with the personality and boldness of their chefs, who are internationally renowned gastronomic trend-setters. In addition to this remarkable creativity, Nordic restaurants are also a great source of inspiration when it comes to imagining the contours of a more sustainable gastronomy. The growing number of MICHELIN Green Stars in our selection illustrates that awareness and action are part of the daily philosophies of many Nordic restaurateurs.
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides