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FHA-Food & Beverage 2025 brings together some of the most celebrated chefs and culinary experts from around the world to judge and inspire at the FHA Culinary Challenge (FCC) 2025. One such distinguished figure is Sven Erik Renaa, a three-Michelin-starred chef from Norway, who will serve as a judge in the Restaurant of Nations Hot Kitchen Challenge under the FHA Culinary Challenge 2025.
In this edition of FHA Insider, we delve into his culinary vision, his take on industry trends, and the role of culinary competitions in shaping the next generation of chefs.
Q: RE-NAA’s three Michelin stars reflect your ‘Perfect Simplified’ philosophy. Can you explain how this philosophy translates into creating meaningful dining experiences?
‘Perfect Simplified’ is my way of showcasing Norway’s wild and untouched nature through its best products, especially seafood, balanced with our ‘flavour DNA.’ Our flavour DNA is all the preserved produce that the wild and tamed nature around us provides, either in pure form or processed using traditional preservation techniques like fermentation, curing, pickling, and drying. These unique flavours elevate our seafood, vegetables, and meat to another level, and we take pride in the fact that these combinations define our uniqueness. We avoid elements that could ‘cloud’ the dish, focusing instead on a few key components—no fuss, no unnecessary decorations. We also want our guests to actively participate in this journey, which is why all guest tables are situated around the kitchen, making the dining experience more personal and immersive.
Q: RE-NAA emphasises pure, local, and natural products. What emerging market trends are you seeing in sourcing and using these ingredients? How will these trends influence fine dining and the broader F&B landscape?
Our guests travel more and gain greater culinary experience. Fine dining guests now seek something unique, sustainable, and pure. We take foraging and sourcing very seriously and will continuously showcase our flavours.
Q: Mathew Leong’s (Top Finalist) Bocuse d’Or performance was truly impressive. From your experience coaching the Norwegian Culinary Team, how important are international competitions like the Bocuse d’Or and FHA Culinary Challenge for developing culinary talent, and what specific benefits do they offer chefs like Mathew? How do these international culinary competitions contribute to the evolution of gastronomy on a global scale?
For me, international competitions are a way to boost our profession and encourage young people to join this industry. These competitions showcase talent and demonstrate how far a chef can go in their career. They also serve as a platform for culinary evolution, allowing us to discover new techniques and flavours.
For Mathew, his decade-long experience and his goal of winning the Bocuse d’Or have shaped him tremendously as a chef. His determination to achieve this goal brought him to RE-NAA in Stavanger, where he is now a valued part of a three-star restaurant. In my eyes, that is an even greater achievement than winning the Bocuse d’Or itself. However, without the goals he set ten years ago, he most likely wouldn’t be where he is today—they continue to push him to excel on every platform.
Q: FHA is a major global F&B trade event. What are its most important influences on the industry and how do you see FHA’s role evolving, considering the rapid changes in the F&B world?
Globalisation has accelerated the pace at which trends change in the culinary world. In Norway, we are seeing a growing number of visitors from Asia who seek a different kind of luxury—one that is about experiencing something unspoiled, sustainable, and clean. Events like FHA help bridge culinary cultures and facilitate knowledge-sharing across the industry. We hope that FHA can continue to bring more visitors to Stavanger and Norway to experience this kind of luxury—and, of course, the northern lights.
Want to see Chef Sven Erik Renaa in action? Don’t miss the opportunity to witness his expertise live at the FHA Culinary Challenge 2025! Experience the energy of world-class culinary competition, be inspired by top chefs, and discover the future of fine dining.
Secure your spot at FHA-Food & Beverage 2025 today!
