Norwegian Seafood Council Annouces New UK Director

diner, the cooking lines and hot holding in the middle, to ensuring there was enough space for the front of house staff to build orders and serve customers. The result could not have been better…

“As a lot of the equipment is state of the art and very simple to use, HCE invited us to the Welbilt demo kitchen in Guildford, where we got to fully understand how the equipment would fulfil our brief.” Some of the advanced equipment that HCE incorporated into the final design includes: Merrychef E2S high speed ovens, Merco hotholding cabinet, Frymaster fryers and Garland Clam Grills - which can cook burgers within two minutes, compared to 18 minutes on the park’s old griddles. With the concentration on speed and flow, the incorporation of touchscreen ordering systems was an obvious choice, tying the design together neatly.

Andrew and Stephen summarised their experience collaborating with HCE on the design of Route 83, with Andrew commenting: “The final kitchen that HCE has delivered on this project is absolutely superb. What we have achieved through the summer period would not have been possible without that kitchen, which is all because of HCE. The equipment and the flow of the kitchen is second to none”

Stephen agreed and highlighted how important the HCE partnership is:

“The key benefit of working with HCE was definitely the flexibility and their understanding of exactly what we were after and what we required. I would absolutely recommend HCE. Their ability to deliver on time and per the quotation, with no surprises, made the whole process significantly easier.”

Victoria Braathen has been appointed the Norwegian Seafood Council’s (NSC) new envoy to the United Kingdom.

She will start her position in London on Sept. 1, replacing Hans Frode Kielland Asmyhr, who has headed up the NSC’s marketing activities in the UK since September 2017.

Braathen brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked with the NSC for six years holding various international posts, including director of the NSC in China until July 2021. Since then, she returned to Norway to be head of market access and manager for its operations in Norway, is now eager to step into the new role in one of the key markets for Norwegian seafood.

Said Braathen: “I’m delighted to join the team in the UK. Working with the seafood industry is a huge privilege and I very much look forward to getting to know the market and stakeholders more closely.”

Braathen, who comes from Tromsø, holds a law degree from the University of Bergen with a specialisation in commercial law and international law of the sea. She has previous experience as a political adviser to the Minister of Fisheries and the Mayor of Tromsø

Municipality.

Continues Braathen: “Over the years, the NSC has collaborated with several key industry stakeholders in the UK. I’m excited to build on these great foundations and work together with importers, distributors, retail, and foodservice alike to further strengthen the seafood partnership between Norway and the UK.

“The UK is among Norway’s closest allies and one of Norway’s major trading partners. Our relationship is one we value, and I hope to build on the outstanding work already undertaken in this market, and further develop our position in an exciting and important territory for whitefish.”

Braathen looks set to hit the ground running with a host of ventures in the pipeline including sponsorships with the National Young Chef of the Year Awards and National Fish and Chip Awards. Plus, a royal visit celebrating innovation and collaboration between Norway and the UK, showcasing Norway’s greatest export and Britain’s favourite dish, fish & chips.