On November 6th, the Nordic Chambers of Commerce in New York hosted a Nordic Cuisine event as a part of their Nordic Series events. .The Nordic Series is an event series showcasing different aspects of Nordic innovation and know-how as they pertain to the US market. The Series is an initiative created in collaboration with all five of the Nordic Chambers of Commerce in an effort to strengthen the Nordic network in the US.

The event consisted of a panel discussion, moderated by Morthen Sohlberg, as well as an opportunity for attendees to taste-test the products during the event. Morthen Sohlberg, the moderator, is the proprietor of Blenheim Hospitality Group which grows its own meat and produce for its catering operations and restaurants. The cuisine for all the group’s locations is centered around locally-sourced, sustainable, and all-natural ingredients and follows the principles of “New Nordic Cuisine.” The panelists for the event included Leonard Schaltz from BonBon, Gabriel Sorgi from Ole & Steen, John Heath from Icelandic Provisions, and Sam McCormick from Gold & Green.

The companies presenting their products at the event included Gold & Green, Icelandic Glacial, A.C. Perch’s Thehandel, Arla Foods, BonBon, Norwegian Baked, Ole & Steen, Norseland Inc., Icelandic Provisions, and Grow.

· Gold & Green is a Finnish company marketing Pulled Oats®, the plant-based food made with five simple ingredients: oats, yellow peas, fava beans, cold-pressed canola oil, and salt. Pulled Oats® was created by Maija Itkonen and Reetta Kivelä, who wanted to create a healthy food with simple ingredients that would change the world.

· Icelandic Glacial, a certified carbon neutral company, has brought to the market a spring water sourced from the pristine Olfus Spring in Iceland. The water has been filtered over 5,000 years through layers of lava rocks, resulting in an especially pure spring water with an alkaline pH.

· A.C. Perch’s Thehandel is the oldest tea shop in Europe with a focus on quality tea. Since its founding in 1835, the company has brought quality tea from all over the world into the hands of its customers.

· Arla Foods, the fifth-largest dairy company in the world, focuses on combining new technologies with traditional craftmanship to provide products that are closer to nature. The company is a cooperative owned by more than 12,500 dairy farmers.

· BonBon is a Swedish company offering a selection of Swedish candy in a traditional by-the scoop setting in Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

· Norwegian Baked was founded in 2016 in Brooklyn by Hedvig Bourbon. Norwegian Baked’s Knekkebrød, or crispbread, is a modern twist on the Norwegian fiber-rich, nutritious classic.

· Ole & Steen is a Danish bakery focusing on bringing back artisanal baking methods and embracing carefully sourced, whole ingredients.

· Norseland Inc. is a Norwegian company that has brought the Jarslberg cheese brand to the US market and made Jarslberg America’s #1 specialty cheese.

· Icelandic Provisions is an Icelandic company bringing to the US market a staple of Icelandic cuisine – skyr. Skyr is high in protein and low in sugar with a creamy taste and a thick texture.

· Grow, a Swedish company, aims to combine ancestral diets and modern nutritional science to create foods for babies, children, and adults inspired by traditional Swedish tastes.

The event was a huge success and an excellent opportunity to experience firsthand Nordic culinary innovations currently on the market. A big thank you to all the companies who presented their products at the event!

Keep posted for the next event in the Nordic Series coming in Spring 2020 focusing on Nordic wellness!

Nordic Cuisine as Part of the Nordic Series