Esben Holmboe Bang is head chef, co-owner and creative force behind Maaemo. Born and raised in Copenhagen, Bang has spent most of his culinary career in Oslo where he has not only bagged three Michelin stars but has scored acclaim at the World's 50 Best. The chef is known for creating an experience around the clean, bright flavours of Norway, using entirely organic, biodynamic, or wild produce. With a tasting menu of over 20 courses, a meal at Maaemo is a true culinary tour of Norway.
CNN's Culinary Journeys airs this month. How was the experience, and what can we expect?
Visiting some of my favourite places here in Norway is something that is extremely important for me as a cook and also something very personal. I hope the viewers will get a understanding of the country, our heritage, food culture and of course how we work and think at restaurant Maaemo.
The new show touches on Norway’s culinary history and culture. Does your restaurant also reflect tradition when it comes to the menu – or the preparation and produce?
Yes. The fact is that Norway has a completely different way of thinking about food that the rest of the region. Our menu and the way we work draws on that and there is both subtle and explicit references to Norways culinary heritage.
Maaemo means “Mother Earth” in Old Norse, which must carry some significance. Can you tell us more about the name?
The name is a tribute to what we work with everyday. The nature and what the soil and sea gives us.
Not much is known about Norwegian cuisine beyond Scandinavia, but how would you rate Oslo as a foodie destination?
For the open-minded there is a lot going on. But you need to understand the culture. There is not the same level of ambitious and interesting restaurants as Copenhagen and Stockholm, but we have amazing produce and a complex and interesting food culture.
What’s your personal favourite Norwegian dish? Can you describe it?
Rømmegrøt, a porridge made of very sour cream. It can be eaten as sweet version and a savoury version. I prefer the savoury version eaten with cured meats. Rich, silky smooth and something very “Norwegian”.
As well as its Michelin stars, Maaemo has scored the accolade of being classed as one of the world’s top 100 restaurants – are these things you had aspired to achieve?
Of course it’s very motivating and we are extremely grateful to be recognised. But it´s our own emotional ambitions of what we are trying to achieve that define and that drives us.
How have recent awards, accolades and publicity affected the restaurant – and what’s next for you and for Maaemo?
We are still the same. We want to keep getting a better understanding of what we do and try to rediscover Norwegian cooking.
As part of his culinary journey, Holmboe Bang travels from his kitchen in Oslo to Nordskot, a small fishing village 300 kilometres inside the Arctic Circle to explore Norway’s biggest treasure: the sea.
The CNN show is airing this weekend! For more information: www.CNN.com/journeys
SHOW TIMES:
Saturday June 25 at 1230 BST / 1330 CET
Sunday June 26 at 0530 BST / 0630 CET
Monday June 27 at 0400 BST / 0500 CET