A CITY THAT
NEVER STOPS COOKING Nobody goes for the ‘more of the same’ theme at a festival. “This year, our output will be exactly the same as last year” – the popular wisdom is why fix something that isn’t broken. If it isn’t new, or reinvented, or remoulded, or reinvigorated, then you’re standing still – nobody wants a festival that reiterates the same mantra every year, unless it is something like “Get your free bacon here”. Nevertheless, while we’re not sure most people would notice between ravenous mouthfuls whether the Copenhagen Cooking and Food Festival organisers are daring (or not, depending on your perspective) to be different, their ‘Breaking the new’ theme promises copious amount of envelope pushing and trail blazing.
THE GASTRO-METROPOLIS! The organisers explain that this year’s theme will enable the Danish capital to take a step backwards and admire its handiwork over the course of this century, as it has “evolved from a gastronomically unknown capital to a world-class food metropolis”. Armed with an innovative mindset, courage, skilled practitioners and strong pioneers in the front line, Copenhagen has gone from strength to strength, taking its Danish gastronomy and food production to the high level it finds itself enjoying today. For many years, the festival has been the cooking point where new ideas, trends, initiatives, products, knowledge, business platforms and experiences gather to fuel the gastro-metropolis that we call home. In truth, Copenhagen never stops cooking, breaking new ground at every opportunity.
BEGINS WITH A BARBIE Every juggernaut needs a furnace, and this year that honour befalls Israels Plads, a historic square in the city centre that like its food scene has never stopped embracing the new this century. On August 18, make sure you don’t miss the festival’s official opening party, the Ultimate Barbecue Party (details below), where four professional chefs from
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restaurants such as Taller and Naes will be manning the grill. The admission price includes a welcome drink, four barbecue dishes and as much Jacobsen beer as you like until 20:00, including a special one commissioned for the festival.
ULTIMATE BARBECUE PARTY Aug 18 17:30-22:00 Israels Plads, Linnesgade 17, Cph K; 595kr
GOURMET HOT DOGS And remember the location well, as you’ll want to return there three days later when it hosts the unofficial world hot dog competition – a charity event at which diners will be invited to make a donation to CARE Denmark’s charity work in Laos. Each competitor will make 100 gourmet hot dogs each as they seek to impress a judging panel that includes three Michelin star chefs. While the main contest starts at 17:00, the event is kicking off two hours earlier with music, beer and hot dogs for the kids – a cunning move to ensure they’re full up by the time the gourmet range hits the platter.
WHAT OLIVER ASKED FOR But we had hot dogs last year, we hear you say. And a barbecue! What’s wrong with ‘more of the same’? Take note, organisers – sometimes you don’t need to reinvent the wheel if your festival’s reputation is already this well-rounded!
TOP DOG CHARITY Aug 21 15:00-19:00, contest from 17:00 Israels Plads, Linnesgade 17 Cph K; free adm
Publisher: CPH POST • Editor: Hans Hermansen Journalists: Aaron Hathaway, Lara Spirit, Sarah B Haider • Layout: All About Digital, Copenhagen Co-ordinator: Marin Milosavljevic, Director: Hans Hermansen, hans@cphpost.dk, Tel: +45 2420 2411
MAKING HOT POT MAKING HOT POT GREAT AGAIN GREAT AGAIN By Lara Spirit
In less ominous terms than the leader of the world’s largest democracy, entrepreneur turned cooking-maestro Fanshuang Kong of Hot Pot Republic borrows Donald Trump’s famous line and promises to “make hot pot great again”. The mergers and acquisitions analyst isn’t promising to restore America to its Golden Days, but makes a more appealing – and plausible – pitch to the residents of Copenhagen: come and learn about Asian hot pot this August.
CONFUCIAN SENSIBILITIES Indeed, Confucian cultures of sociability have informed the nature of hot pot in Asia for hundreds of years. It remains one of the most popular choices in these countries today, but it has also become a ubiquitous player in North America and across Europe. In London, for instance, there are well over a dozen restaurants specialising in hot pot cuisine – a number that is set to rise. For those new to the game, a serving of hot pot tends to include two broths. Hungry diners are then invited to place all sorts of food items in these rich and variant soups and allow them to simmer in front of their eyes, quickly hoisting them out when they’re cooked.
FIND YOUR FAVOURITES It’s hard to emphasise enough the possible scope here. As well as trying all range of vegetables – my personal favourites being taro, butternut squash and spinach – the different
pairings with the various broths makes for a range of markedly contrasting tastes. The spinach goes especially well with the curry broth, for instance, while the mushrooms were more suited to the tomato soup. Subjectivity is the lynchpin of the hot pot experience: play around, find your favourites. The meat offers no less room for manoeuvre. Thinly sliced beef ensures it tends to be the first out; spicy or mild, the emerging pieces can either wait for their vegetable counterparts or be consumed solo.
LONG LIVE THE REPUBLIC Kong certainly respects the example offered by the hot pot conglomerates around the world, but this isn’t to say Hot Pot Republic doesn’t have its own twist on the brand. I’d certainly never come across the satay-meets-tahini-esque sauce that accompanied the meal from start to finish before. Fresh garlic was added to the nutty offering, and it was soon lathered on everything being eaten.
ASIAN HOT POT CULINARY EXPERIENCE Aug 20, 18:00-21:30; CPH Food Space, Slagtehusgade 11, Cph V;
Aug 22, 13:30-22:30; Israels Plads, Linnesgade 17, Cph V; 249kr
A failing of the hot pot can be the flavour of the broth – a risk Kong has safely avoided. The standout of the night was a spicy broth with over ten different spices and herbs added for seasoning. A homemade spicy add-on was available for those in need of a further kick, and it seemed to complement everything dunked its way.
AND HEALTHY TOO
Given the ultimate gluttony of the hot pot, it’s at first hard to believe the dish is in fact very healthy. The whole thing is composed of incredibly low carbohydrate and gluten foods, which if you so choose could be entirely composed of fresh root vegetables. It seems surprising, given Copenhagen’s gastronomical status – a well-deserved one at that – that there’s no hot pot restaurant yet making waves in the capital. Kong promises to change this, and if you get in quick they’re still places to attend their events on both August 20 and 22.
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They provide Copenhagen Cooking with a certain spirit. After all, luxuriating over a plate of food without a glass of wine or beer wouldn’t hold the same appeal.
HIGH SPIRITS, BOTTOMS UP BEER TASTINGS Aug 19-20, 18:00-23:00; Carlsberg Laboratorium, Valby Langgade 1, Cph V; 495kr Throughout the week there will be many options for dining and drinking as the Danes do. Try beer at Glyptotek Hall at Carlsberg with different nibbles such as caramelised popcorn. The goal behind the tasting is to give you a different kind of explosion in your mouth. Led by well-known chef Christian Hoffman, experiment with beer at this lovely setting and learn more about mixing and matching. Meanwhile, the brewery Herslev Bryghus (various times; Dronningens Tværgade 22, Cph K; 295kr) brings a twist to beer tasting with a new trend: tasting spontaneous fermentation beer. During the event you will try a minimum of four beers together with four seasonal Danish dishes.
RUM & CHOCOLATE Aug 24, 18:00-19:00; Israels Plads, Linnésgade 17, Cph K; 90kr Pirates and chocolate lovers, you are in for a treat. Who thought that these two could be such a persuasive punch? Try this event, where rums from Latin America, all the way up to Georgia in the US, will be paired with the tasting of chocolate derived from lots of different cocoa types. Daniel Maersk from Sprit & Co and Mark Hermann from Mark Hermann Chocolate will tell you all about the history of rum and its best combinations with chocolate.
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Alcohol plays an integral role in Danish food culture, and accordingly there are a variety of events this festival that embrace its importance. We’ve got dinners with beer pairings, liqueur tastings, cider and schnapps festivals – you name it. Here are some of the highlights you don’t want to miss!
By Ella Navarro
ORGANIC LIQUEUR, RECYCLING AND LITERATURE Aug 20, 16:00-18:00; Frederiksberg Bredegade 1, Frederiksberg; 150kr Bringing ecology to everyday life, alcoholic drinks can also be sustainable. Join the talk on sustainability and recycling at the Loppehylder flea market, where the guys from the Secret Liqueur Society (Det Hemmelige Likørselskab) will explain how they make their organic liqueur from pure raw materials. While you listen you’ll get liqueur tasting and organic cakes spiced with their exquisite liqueur. Stick around afterwards to do some thrift shopping. Elsewhere, if you speak Danish and want more of that liqueur you might also want to check out the tastings that are being served along with the humorous reading of the Swedish book ‘With a cup and coffee liqueur’ (Aug 18, 18:00, Amagerbrogade 205, Cph S; 125kr).
RIGTIG CIDER FESTIVAL Aug 26, 11:00-18:00; Israels Plads, Vendersgade 6D, Cph K; 99-130kr The more bitter the apple, the tastier the cider. The Cider Festival is back this year to prove that and to challenge our tastebuds and knowledge of cider, presenting Danish cider in an international context. Rigtig Cider Festival will be hosting three tasting rounds at Israel Plads involving the produce of 25 cider producers, both local and from abroad. One ticket entitles you
to three tastings. When the evening approaches, long tables will be set up for a cosy dinner with more cider.
SCHNAPPS AND AQUAVIT FESTIVAL Aug 26, 12:00-22:00; Copenhagen Distillery, Kløvermarksvej 70D, Cph S; 395-495kr Spirit producers from Scandinavia and the US, plus chefs from the best restaurants in Copenhagen (Fiskebaren, Folkets Madhus, Nabo, No 2 and Restaurant Palægade) team up for this unique first ever-held festival, where you will be able to taste about 30 distilleries together with amazing street food. It is a unique chance “to see the elephants that make the schnapps and aquavit that we all love”. There will also be beer from Amager Bryghus, Flying Couch and Kølster, while Copenhagen cocktail bar Helium, which just won the Best Barteam in the World title, will be there to surprise the guests with some new cocktail creations featuring schnapps and aquavit. With live music and competitions hosted by Danish journalist Esben Bjerre, you better reserve this day to drink like a fish!
THE WORLD IS YOUR
OYSTER
As expected, seafood is well represented at this year’s festival. From an abundance of crayfish-related events – whether it’s with a Swedish twist or accompanied by live music – to a fusion of Copenhagen’s culinary forces with literature and architecture, there’s sure to be something here for all seafood enthusiasts. A perfect balance between informative and unashamedly gluttonous, the range this year promises to do the global reputation held by Danish seafood proud. By Lara Spirit
NORDIC SEAFOOD PARTY Aug 18-27, daily 17:00-21:00; Kayak Bar, Børskaj 12,Cph K; 195kr Catch this spectacular selection of Nordic-inspired seafood each and every day of the festival. From the perfect vantage point of the Kayak Bar – looking out across the water as the sun sets over the city – you can sample some of the best staples from different corners of Scandinavia. They will be schnapps from Finland, shrimps from Greenland, marinated fish from Iceland and dried fish from Norway. This eclectic mix, and much more, has been prepared with particular attention to sustainability in the Scandinavian fishing industry.
SEAFOOD PLATTER AT NIMB BRASSERIE
lops, multiple servings at this buffet is sure to satisfy the most gluttonous of fish-enthusiasts. Nimb Brasserie is renowned for its twists on French favourites, and the event will focus on their fish specialities. If the food doesn’t speak for itself, the location amongst Tivoli’s grandeur should.
KNOW YOUR OYSTER Aug 19, 12:00-14:30; Torvenhallerne, Frederiksborggade 21, Cph K, 195kr Set within the bustling walls of Torvenhallerne, oyster connoisseur Victor Monchamp will be at hand to quiz four experts on these mollusc delicacies about everything from opening the shell to what champagne to serve with the oyster when prepared. The event also promises an opportunity to cut one of the 12 oysters included in the price of the ticket under the careful instruction of a ‘professional oyster opener’. Joining Monachmp for a lunch of salty sensations will be chefs Jamie Lee (Fiskebaren), Jeppe Foldager (a silver medalist in the Bocuse d’or and the future head chef at the Niels- Nobis Hotel) and Mads Battefeld (Restaurant Hjemme).
BLEND OF JAPAN AND DENMARK
Aug 22-25, 12:00-15:30; Bernstorffsgade 5, Cph K; 535kr Though one of the more expensive events at this years’ food festival, it promises to be equally as luxurious. Catering for lovers of everything from crab claws and langoustines to prawns and scal-
Aug 18, 19:00-21:00; Cisterne, Søndermarken, Frederiksberg, 250kr This is fusion of architecture, literature, botany, travel and, of course, food – and surely one of the most fascinating events on the festival’s program. Starting with the novel ‘The Year of Spaghetti’ – Haruki Murakami’s tale of loneliness told through the routine of food – the event will discuss both this and other novels by Japanese
authors that utilise the ascetics of food when constructing their own narratives. Surrounded by Sambuici’s large installation, the special climate of the underground Cisterns will play host to food as well as flora. Among those in attendance will be food and travel writer Katrine Klinken, who will be at hand to discuss the Japanese cuisine on offer, and Metter Holm, with whom she and Asger Rojle Christensen published ‘The Trip Goes to Japan’ this year.
CRAYFISH IN THE COURTYARD Aug 25, 18:00-22:00; Zeleste, Store Strandstræde 6, Cph K; 350kr This is a crayfish party with a Swedish twist. Crayfish and bread will be served with lemon and dill mayo, followed by traditional Swedish cheese pie, porcini and a glass of the year’s festival brew, Nordic Jam. The festivities will take place within Zeleste’s stunning 17th century courtyard, where there promises to be singing and dancing too.
CRAYFISH AT TORVENHALLERNE Aug 26, 12:00-21:00; Torvehallerne, Frederiksborggade 21, Cph K; 175kr You can find Hav2Go on any normal day in Copenhagen’s most reputed food market, but Sisse & Co promise far more from their collaboration with the festival. Large and long tables will be decorated and filled with fresh crayfish served from the cooking pots outside. This is perfect feasting for an August afternoon.
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FRAGRANT FOOD FOR
THE FRUGAL
Denmark may be a land merciless on the checking account, but the scrupulous penny-pincher can yet find their quarry with the right amount of know-how. If you’re planning on heading to the Copenhagen Cooking and Food Festival, we’ve got that know-how right here. Listed below are a hand-picked selection of highlight events that will allow you to fulfill your gastronomic inclinations while treading lightly on the pocketbook.
By Aaron Hathaway
SEED EXCHANGE Aug 19-20, 12:00-21:00; Brobjergvej 13, Kirke Såby; free adm. This might be the only ‘free seed exchange’ that isn’t organised by truck drivers on Craigslist. If you can brave the trek out to the Farm of Ideas (located some 10 kilometres west of Roskilde), you’ll be rewarded with a generous shower of seed, entirely free of charge. The event offers events for both child and adult, Danish-speaker and exclusive Anglophone alike. Drop by to learn more about the connection between the agricultural and culinary arts, and head home with a pocketful of seeds for your own garden.
SWISS ALPINE MARKET Aug 25, 14:00-18:00; Richelieus Alle 14, Hellerup; 60kr Did you know they have food in Switzerland too! Or at least that’s what those scheming Swiss would have you believe. Find out for yourself at the Swiss Alpine Market, a delightful evening hosted at the Embassy of Switzerland, at which these neutral-claiming swindlers will try their best to convince you the Swiss have also discovered the secrets of sustenance. A paltry entry of 60 kroner grants access to this grand culinary hustle – including heaping plates of Swiss signatures (we’ll see you in court) such as cheese, sausages and wine.
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COPENHAGEN BUG FEST Aug 25 & 26, 13:00-18:00 & 10:00-18:00; Gothersgade 128, Cph K, 50-70kr In the desert hellscape of the near future, insects may be our only viable source of protein. So why not get used to it while it’s still fun? The Copenhagen Bug Fest takes place at the intersection of gastronomy and entomology – with an eye for bugs on the dinner plate, the festival also examines insects from an aesthetic, scientific and cultural perspective. The bargain-priced bug bazaar takes place in Copenhagen’s scenic Botanical Gardens – conveniently across the street from the Geology Museum, where visitors can check out an exhibition of Levon Biss’ stunning insect photography.
SPIT-ROASTED OX Aug 19, 11:30-15:00; Gråbrødretorv, Cph K, 95kr The event page says ‘Fit for English speakers’, as though the language of delicious meat wasn’t
universal. The practice of spit-roasting an ox in Denmark dates back to the late 16th century, when Christian IV punctuated his coronation by spit-roasting a number of the beasts all over town. Today, Copenhagen culinary staple Peder Oxe carries on the tradition, and all are invited to grab a bite of the 300-kilo animal.
SOUND TOLL FAIR Aug 19, 10:00-16:00; Strandgade 91, Helsingør, free adm Helsingør’s Sound Toll Fair lets visitors experience the sights and flavours of the Old World, or at least the savoury ones, so no public hangings or tooth rot. The festival taps into Helsingør’s history as a buzzing trade hub, enlisting costumed re-enactors, period wares and 18th century fare to create an immersive trip through time. Taste fresh-baked bread drawn from a centuries-old recipe, stroll past the oakhulled frigates moored in the harbour and fetch a draught of ale (now cholera-free) from a wigclad vendor at this historic street fair.
While children like to run around and have fun when they go to family fiestas, the Copenhagen Cooking & Food Festival aims to take them on a gentle stroll, delving into the richness of the culinary culture of Denmark. From experiencing the country’s food history to watching creepy-crawlies transforming into dainties, there will be plenty of ways to keep the little ones amused this year. Here’s a list of the most interesting events that will keep the kids thoroughly entertained at the city’s upcoming gastronomic playground. By Sarah B Haider
FOR FUN-SIZE FOODIES! FAMILY DINNER AT TÅRNET Aug 20 & 27, 17:30-22:00; Tårnet Restaurant, Christiansborg, Prins Jørgens Gård 1, Cph K; 175-350 kr Family time is not only about having fun but also about forming strong emotional ties and creating happy memories. And what could be more profound than enjoying a fine-dining experience with your granny at one of Copenhagen’s most beautiful and historic restaurants? For kids joining the festival, Bojesen brings this unique opportunity for kids to have a dinner date with their grandma, where they can savour scrumptious Danish dishes along with a variety of drinks.
TOP DOGS Aug 21; 15:30-19:00; Israels Plads, Linnesgade 17, Cph K; 40 kr
details) will include a ‘Top Dogs for Kids’ segment, offering opportunities galore to for the young hot dog lovers to tantalise their taste buds. Meanwhile, adults can enjoy the gourmet hot dogs made by contestants in the Top Dog Charity competition.
FOR THE LOVE OF VEGGIES Aug 24, 18:00-21:30; Energicenter Voldparken, Kobbelvænget 65, Brønshøj; 149kr Getting kids to eat their vegetables is not the easiest task, but this event will definitely attract them towards all things green. This year, there will be a communal dinner hosted by the organic community kitchen in the middle of the world’s largest straw bale garden. A ‘family-style’ feast for 100 guests will be arranged, while the urban garden specialists BIOARK will demonstrate a mushroom growing system that will definitely be a treat to watch.
BUG FEST Aug 25, 13:00-18:00, 50kr; Aug 26, 10:00-18:00, 75kr; Botanisk Have, Gothersgade 128, Cph K
Denmark is never short of hot dog enthusiasts, both young and old – irrefutably, it’s that one food item that kids can never say no to. Hosted at the festival’s engine room at Israels Plads, the Top Dog Charity event (see page 2 for more
ARLA FOOD FEST Aug 26, 10:00-18:00 & Aug 27, 10:00-17:00; Øster Voldgade 4A, Cph K; 75kr, kids 0-3, free adm For the fifth year, Arla Food Fest will be providing surprising food experiences for kids and adults alike. The event will not only be pleasurable for kids’ taste buds, but it will also educate them about some interesting food-related facts to stimulate their curiosity. There will also be music and a lot of fun activities that will keep the little ones entertained for the whole weekend.
FREDERIKSBERG HARVEST FEST Aug 25, 17:00-21:30; Frederiksberg Allé, Frederiksberg; 230 kr This popular harvest fest will be a great culinary experience for both kids and adults as some of the best restaurants in town, along with hard working farmers, present mouthwatering food to suit all kinds of taste buds. There will also be different stalls and workshops to educate people about sustainable food initiatives. Be warned, as tickets are selling out fast.
At the Bug Fest, kids get to see, touch, and taste many different types of insects at the beautiful Botanical Garden. The purpose of the Bug Fest is to allow kids to explore the diversity of insects from a gastronomic, technological, scientific and cultural perspective. This will be a unique opportunity for kids to discover how insects can provide nutritional value and contribute to sustainable food production.
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COPENHAGEN COOKING & FOOD FESTIVAL
18.08– 27.08 2017
+100 FOOD EVENTS Read more and buy tickets at copenhagencooking.com AAMANNS 1921/HIDEAKI SATO (TA VIE)HK · TIGERMOM/MISSION CHINESE FOODUS COPENHAGEN BUGFEST · GERANIUM/MAISON PICFR/ATELIER CRENN US MUSLING/MADS REFSLUND · TOP DOG CHARITY · INUNNGUAQ HEGELUNDGL SEED EXCHANGE: CHRISTIAN PUGLISI (FARM OF IDEAS)/ESBEN HOLMBOE BANG (MAAEMO)NO/ MATT ORLANDO (AMASS)/JOCK ZONFRILLO (ORANA)AUS/CARLO PETRINI (SLOW FOOD)IT HIDETO TAKEDA (ICHIMATSU) JP · KOBUS VAN DER MERWE (WOLFGAT)ZA · ARLA FOOD FEST FREDERIKSBERG HARVEST FEAST · CIDER FESTIVAL · OPEN SANDWICH DAY · NORDIC JAM KAYAK BAR · MADKLUBBEN · SALT BAR & RESTAURANT · POTLUCK DINNER SPIRIKUM SNAPS & AQUAVIT FESTIVAL · TORVEHALLERNE · BITE COPENHAGEN KOST/BIRKEMOSEGAARD · TÅRNET · ISRAELS PLADS · AND MUCH MORE ...