Noma is a two Michelin star restaurant run by chef René Redzepi in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The name is a portmanteau of the two Danish words "nordisk" and "mad".
Opened in 2003, the restaurant is known for its reinvention and interpretation of the
Nordic Cuisine.
In 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014, it has been ranked as the Best Restaurant in the World
by Restaurant magazine.
History The restaurant is located in an old warehouse
on the waterfront in the Christianshavn neighbourhood of central Copenhagen.
The building is situated by the Greenlandic Trading Square, which for 200 years was a
centre for trade to and from the Faroe Islands, Finnmark, Iceland, and in particular, Greenland.
Dry fish, salted herring, whale oil and skins are among the goods that were stored in and
around the warehouse before being sold off to European markets.
In 2003 the warehouse was turned into North Atlantic House, a centre for the art and culture
of the North Atlantic region.
Noma was opened at the same time by Redzepi and Claus Meyer.
The restaurant's interior is designed by Space Copenhagen.
Between 12 and 16 February 2013, 63 of 435 diners took ill after eating at Noma, according
to a Danish Food Administration report.
The symptoms were attributed to norovirus, which was believed to have been unintentionally
spread by an infected kitchen employee.
Food
The cuisine of Noma is Nordic/Scandinavian; the restaurant's founders René Redzepi and
Claus Meyer have attempted to redefine this Nordic cuisine.
The cuisine of Noma can be considered more an interpretation of Nordic food than classical
Nordic food itself, according to Meyer in the book Noma – Nordic Cuisine.
Famous dishes include 'The Hen and the Egg'.
Staff Owner and founder René Redzepi has formerly
worked at restaurants such as The French Laundry, elBulli, Kong Hans Kælder and Le Jardin des
Sens.
The Chef de cuisine is Matt Orlando, who met Redzepi whilst working at The Fat Duck; and
sommelier is Norwegian Mads Kleppe.
Recognition Awards and rankings
Noma has won the Restaurant magazine award for Best Restaurant three years in a row,
dating back from 2010.
In 2010, the restaurant, as a relative newcomer, startlingly stole the crown that El Bulli
had held for four consecutive years.
This came soon after previous first and second place chefs Ferran Adria and Heston Blumenthal
announced that they would be temporarily closing their restaurants.
At the time, Noma was viewed as the head of a new movement to spread New Nordic cuisine.
In 2011, with El Bulli having withdrawn from the competition because they would be permanently
closing, Noma was easily named the Best Restaurant for the second straight year.
It was selected by a worldwide panel of journalists, chefs, restaurateurs, and food lovers.
The restaurant continued its dominance without having earned a third Michelin Star.
In 2012, René Redzepi won the award for Noma yet again, being praised by Restaurant as
being "the standard bearer for the New Nordic movement" and winning respect for his attention
to detail and innovative approach.
His use of local and seasonal ingredients foraged from the seashore and forest was also
recognized.
In 2013, Noma was voted the second best restaurant in the world, having lost the first place
position to El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Catalonia, Spain.
2007: #15 Best Restaurant in the World, 2007 Restaurant magazine Top 50
Since 2008: Michelin Guide, two stars 2008: René Redzepi named International Chef
of the Year at the Lo Mejor de la Gastronomia conference in San Sebastian, Spain
2008: The users of the international website TripAdvisor rated Noma as the best restaurant
in the world 2008: #10, 2008 Restaurant magazine Top 50
2009: #3 and "Chefs' Choice", 2009 Restaurant magazine Top 50
2010: Best Restaurant in the World, 2010 Restaurant magazine Top 50
2011: Best Restaurant in the World, 2011 Restaurant magazine Top 50
2012: Best Restaurant in the World, "2012 Restaurant magazine Top 50"
2014: Best Restaurant in the World, "2014 Restaurant magazine Top 50"
Other recognition The restaurant was featured in Anthony Bourdain:
Parts Unknown on 6 October 2013.
Temporary locations From 28 July to 6 August 2012, Noma decamped
to London for a 10-day pop-up restaurant hosted by Claridge's in Mayfair, while the restaurant
in Copenhagen was closed from 22 July to 13 August for refurbishment.
Redzepi, along with head chef Matt Orlando and staff from the restaurant served up a
£195-per-head nine-course menu that included their versions of scones and clotted cream,
Lancashire hotpot with British ingredients, as well as live ants foraged in Denmark and
flown to London.
On 29 March 2014, Noma announced that the restaurant would be relocating to Japan for
two months in the beginning of 2015.
References
External links Official website
René Redzepi and the story of Noma The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2013
Bourdain, Anthony.
"Copenhagen".
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown; Season 2, Episode 4.
CNN.
Retrieved 8 October 2013.