The arctic cooking philosophy

from The official Travel Guide Narvik Region 2023

Autumn Experiences

The Narvik region is situated between high mountains and deep fjords, where nature is rich in both pure ingredients and unique flavours.

In recent years, the region has established itself as a unique food destination with varied restaurants and some of the region’s best wilderness chefs. One of them is Sami-descendent Vegard Stormo, food, and beverage manager at Scandic Narvik. His passion for seasonal and short-travelled food benefits locals and travelers alike. WHEN PASSION & PROFESSION FIND EACH OTHER If you are to explore the nature in the region, you will quite possible encounter Vegard at some point. Always near some delicacy of the Arctic nature; by the seaside collecting sea urchins and shells, fishing, or hunting, or in the forests, picking mushrooms and berries. All ingredients are carefully selected to be prepared and served to the guests at Tind restaurant at Scandic Narvik. Or outdoors. Several years ago a Chinese film team Vegard Stormo

©Rune Dahl

was visiting, and especially for them, he hosted dinner right by the coast, just outside of Narvik. He arranged for a diver to suddenly rise from the sea with fresh sea urchins, shells, and seaweed, which was all added to the casserole cooking on open fire. NATURE ON THE PLATE Vegard’s cooking philosophy is to minimize the processing of food and bring natural ingredients right into the pot. Red King Crab

©Rune Dahl

Chanterelles

©Michael Ulriksen

In his role as the hotel’s food and beverage manager, he contributes to treating good ingredients according to old traditions and presenting them in a modern and innovative manner.

The calendar is an important guideline for Vegard. The tastes and smells in the menu reflect what you find and see in the mountains and fjords around the hotel. The sea, the meadows, the mountains, and the marshes. King crab, reindeer, and delicious cloud berries. The wild sheep, reindeer and the juicy berries in the autumn, the famous skreimølja (seasonal cod fish served with its liver and roe) in the winter, the halibut in the springtime and the summer’s delicious mountain fish.

Tind Resturant

©Rune Dahl

Everything is a story. especially the food

Vegard is dedicated to serving food with good stories that lift and carry the overall experience.

Thus, it is important where the food on your plate comes from and how it got there. This philosophy has been with me throughout my career as a chef. I have grown up outdoors and the joy of all the ingredients nature offers. In addition, I am a Sami descendant and have been very interested in learning about the Sami culture and our bond with nature. I would like to pass this on to our guests and staff to increase local knowledge and culture. In ancient Sami culture, harvesting from nature was a necessity. Although the reindeer was the basis of life, small game, fish, herbs, mushrooms, and berries were important food supplements, and a medium of exchange for other commodities. It is important to respect and love the nature we depend on. We focus on good, short-travelled ingredients, sustainability, the environment, and, not least, happy guests and employees, says Vegard. CATCH AND COOK. LITERALLY AN OUT-OF-THEORDINARY COOKBOOK A cookbook by Leif Milling, to which Vegard is one of the contributors. The focus of the book is the role of the chef as a philosopher and person – also featuring Vegard’s cooking philosophy. His talent, knowledge and skills have also taken Vegard to chef Bon Appétit

©Rune Dahl

competitions, and have resulted in, among other things, 4 first-place awards: Reindeer Chef of the Year, Northern Norwegian Chef of the Year, Sami Chef of the Year (Sapmi Awards) and Head Chef of the year 2020.

Are you tempted to try Vegard’s cuisine?

The menu is Arctic. Take a seat! Gorge yourself!

Tind Restaurant at Scandic Narvik offers an exclusive dinner meny based on this seasons commodities. A mordern à la carte-restaurant situated on the first floor of Scandic Narvik. They serve both norwegian and international dishes with high quality. +47 769 61 409 narvik@scandichotels.com

Linken Restaurant & Bar

Linken Restaurant & Bar is a tapas restaurant located on the roof of the Quality Hotel Grand Royal.

We have panoramic views of the fjord, mountains and the center of Narvik, which is the perfect setting for the evening. The menu mainly consists of Spanish tapas dishes, but also has some elements of Northern Norwegian flavors. You can choose whether to enjoy simple snacks or a full dinner. Tapas is a social food concept and is well suited for sharing dishes, so that you get the opportunity to taste many different delicacies. OPENING HOURS: Thursday 18:00 - 23:00 Friday and Saturday 18:00 - 03:00

q.royal@choice.no Tel. +47 76 97 70 00 Kongensgate 64, 8514 Narvik

Rallar’n Pub & Kro

Rallar’n Pub & Kro, the tavern, or “Kroa” as the locals call it, is a rustic restaurant with cosy atmosphere and great food.

It is a popular restaurant among the locals, and they are well know for their juicy steaks. “Kroa” is a restaurant with long traditions located on street level at Quality Hotel Grand Royal.

The restaurant has a rustic and cosy interior inspired by Narvik’s strong connection to the Navvies. Navvies or “Rallar’n” were the people who build the railway from Sweden to Narvik over 100 years ago. On the menu you can fi nd a variety of arctic a la carte food.

OPENING HOURS:

Fjellkysten Guesthouse

Enjoy the relaxing atmosphere at Fjellkysten

The guesthouse is designed with inspiration from old Nordic architecture like the Vikings Langhus and the Sami Gamme. This is the place to let go of everyday stress and free your mind whilst also taking in the beautiful nature and picturesque surroundings. Sit in a heated outdoor pool while seeing the northern lights dance in the sky, or maybe a sun that never sets. Experience a wide range of spectacular activities like wildlife safari, caving and northern lights snowshoe trips. All of them carried out in the beautiful nature in Lavangen. Most rooms have views over the bay, and in the winter this view is a great opportunity to see the northern lights.

Small hotel in the heart of Narvik Book now!

Welcome to Narvik Hotel Wivel!

Book your stay at www.narvikhotelwivel.no

Address Kongens Gate 36 8514 Narvik Contact Info (+47) 769 44 555 post@narvikhotelwivel.no Org.nr. 922 592 306

Breidablikk Guesthouse

Comfortable accommodation and a homely environment decorated in Nordic style.

We offer comfortable accommodation and a homely environment. Breakfast is served with panoramic views and lovely surroundings. The rooms have modern bathrooms, Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs and all are decorated in a Nordic style. You will find a good deal of design elements both in the furnishing and the lighting. For us here at Breidablikk it is important that our guests have a personal experience when staying with us. Most of the food we serve is either self-produced or local food. The staff is motivated - attentive and ready to make sure your stay with us lives up to your expectations. We are located only 3 minutes walk from Narvik town centre and about 10 minutes from the ski resort. For smaller groups (max 20 people) we can tailor your stay combining meetings - lunch - dinner and accommodation.