Nordic values of equality, openness, simplicity, trust and compassion extend to how they produce, cook and eat their food – as well as their love of nature and foraging. It’s no wonder Scandinavians have a rep for being a happy bunch. In the Great Nordic Feast, part of Nordic Matters – Southbank Centre’s year-long celebration of arts and culture from Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland – top chefs from the region are getting together to cook for Londoners.
Among the line-up of Scandi cooking greats hosting creative culinary talks and dining experiences are Titti Qvarnström, Sweden’s first female head chef to win a Michelin star, Helena Puolakka, Finnish-born head chef of the D&D group’s Nordic-French café Aster in Victoria, and Icelandic star chef Ylfa Helgadottir. And GBBO 2010 winner Edd Kimber will be bringing his take on Scandinavian baked treats to the table too.
In a series of meals across the weekend, chow down on a Nordic artisan breakfast – served the traditional way, as a smorgasbord – or an epic dinner of the chefs’ signature dishes. These range from Nordic falafel with green peas and onion to Greenlandic halibut and charcoal-grilled reindeer with lingonberry salsa. And there’ll be plenty of fresh Scandi breads to go around. Come hungry, leave happy.