About 600 people live in the area. Still, the local restaurant has over twice as many on the waiting list. Kvitnes farm in Vesterålen has become well known for its locally produced and exclusive food in recent years. And recently, they were singled out as a favorite to get a Michelin star. Former Norwegian champion in culinary art, Halvar Ellingsen, was still sure that he would not get a star during tonight’s Michelin award ceremony tonight. The inspectors have not visited northern Norway this year. – The inspectors use to be secret, but they use to present themselves afterwards. Either physically or by email or phone. And they have not done so. NO VISIT: Halvar Ellingsen and Kvitnes farm was a pre-favorite to get a star in the book at Michelin. Photo: Jens Andre M. Birkeland / Bladet Vesterålen No stars in the north The Michelin stars of the Nordic countries were awarded in the Stavanger Concert Hall. But the inspectors have, according to Ellingsen, not been to northern Norway in the last year. At least not as far as he knows. – We have only been open for a little over two years, and have had a lot closed. And the inspectors have hardly entered the country, so they have probably concentrated on the largest cities. FARM RESTAURANT: Kvitnes farm in Vesterålen has been designated as a favorite to get Michelin stars in the future. Photo: Synnøve Sundby Fallmyr / news – Is it a little too far away? – They get around. They are an old tire manufacturer, and interested in people wearing out their tires. – But there are no restaurants in northern Norway that have a Michelin star, why is that? – It is probably a combination that we do not have a restaurant that has had those ambitions, and that may not have delivered at the required level. One thing is the food, but you should have a great concept as well. In addition, it is only 5-6 years since you had to stay in a major European city to get a star. At that time, the guide was called the main cities of Europe. – So it is not so long since they started moving outside the big cities in the Nordics. – Extremely important For many chefs, it is a big day today. – It means a lot. Commercial. Those who get the star, turn up the price 10 percent overnight, I would think, and the guests are willing to pay the price. – In addition, you get a greater access to chefs who will work for you. And even more guests, says Ellingsen. Although he really wants Michelin stars, he also says that it is a pity that it means so much. – It is terribly annoying that a small red book should be allowed to define how to run a restaurant. This is the Michelin guide The guide gives from one to three stars to restaurants, restaurants and hotels that have earned it. Three Michelin stars are given to a restaurant that is “worth going to” Two Michelin stars are given to a restaurant that is “worth taking a detour for” One Michelin star is given to a restaurant that is “very good at” its category »The award« Bib Gourmand »is awarded to restaurants that are considered to provide very good value for money. Green star is given to restaurants that excel in sustainable operation. Source: NTB / news Great achievement For chefs, it is an enormous achievement to be appointed Michelin guide. – It probably has something to do with history, that it is an old guide who has existed longer than some of the competitors that exist these days, and who has managed to preserve a kind of mystery around him. That’s what Anders Husa says, who runs one of Scandinavia’s largest blogs about restaurants, food and travel. He is one of those who have highlighted Kvitnes farm as a favorite. Blogger Anders Husa has over 100,000 followers on Instagram. Together with cohabitant and colleague Kaitlin Orr, he travels the world to review restaurants. Photo: Jason Henry – Measured against others in the Nordic region, Kvitnes gård and Lofoten Food studio are the closest. The food expert thinks Kvitnes farm will be visited, eventually. – I think Halvar had deserved a star this year, at the same time they have not been open that long. If many years go by without them receiving a visit, then there is greater reason to react. – Now it’s a little early to say yet. Halvar became the youngest ever NM winner in culinary art. Now he will open a gourmet restaurant in a small village in Vesterålen, and everything is at stake.
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Kvitnes farm in Vesterålen without Michelin star – news Nordland
