Strawberry launches Nordic chef competition – celebrating culinary talent and creativity in the kitchen

Strawberry is proud to present the chef competition – "Strawberry Chef of the Year." This is the first edition of the annual competition, open to all chefs within the group, with the aim of celebrating, inspiring, and developing culinary talents. With over 100 restaurants within the Strawberry group, there is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the passion and creativity taking place in kitchens across the Nordics.

Strawberry Chef of the Year is the group's first competition that spotlights individual chefs, focusing on personal development and creativity. In the fall of 2024, participating chefs submitted their entries. Four finalists have now been selected to compete in an exciting final on February 5–6, 2025, at Kit Academy in Oslo.

– It’s truly exciting to launch our own competition where we challenge and recognize our talented team members. This is a great opportunity for those who have never competed before to gain experience and inspiration for the future, says Patrik Fredriksson, Corporate Executive Chef at Nordic Hotels & Resorts.

The final – creativity and sustainability in focus
In the final, participants will have six hours to prepare a three-course menu focusing on sustainability and seasonal Nordic ingredients. The dishes should reflect the participants’ culinary philosophy, professional skills, and creativity. The menu will be evaluated by a qualified jury based on taste, creativity, presentation, and overall impression.

– By participating, our chefs have the opportunity to challenge themselves and test their skills in a competitive environment. They also have the chance to grow within their profession, be inspired by others in the industry, and receive the recognition they deserve, says Fredrik Blomberg, SVP Food & Beverage at Strawberry.

Cooking will be judged according to the following scoring system:

• Taste: 1–100 points
• Creativity: 1–100 points
• Overall impression (incl. sustainability focus): 1–100 points
• Presentation: 1–100 points

Each dish can score a maximum of 400 points, and the participants’ work methodology (hygiene, mise en place, and waste management) can earn an additional 300 points. In total, each finalist can achieve up to 700 points.

In this first edition of the competition, Swedish chefs within the Strawberry group have made a substantial impression, and the final consists entirely of Swedish representatives.

Finalists – Strawberry Chef of the Year 2025

• Phoenix Blues, Brasserie Draken, Gothenburg
• Wael Abdulkader, Clarion Malmö Live
• Alexander Nilsson, AMA, Helsingborg
• Timmy Henriksson, VRÅ, Gothenburg

The winner will be crowned Strawberry Chef of the Year and rewarded with an inspirational trip to Paris. There, the winner will experience world-class food culture and gain culinary inspiration. Additionally, the winner will prepare their winning menu during Strawberry's annual Food & Beverage Summit – a unique chance to showcase their talent in front of industry colleagues.

For more information, contact:
Patrik Fredriksson, Corporate Executive Chef at Nordic Hotels & Resorts
Email: cheftalent@strawberry.se

Strawberry Chef of the Year is a unique initiative to highlight culinary talent and demonstrate our commitment to creativity and sustainability in the kitchen. We look forward to an inspiring final and to crowning our very first winner.