Slate (black gold) in the 14th century put Grythyttan on the map. Queen Kristina of Sweden ordered a road to be built to the town in 1640 including hospitality for travellers on arrival. Accordingly, an inn was built and for 300 years it flourished.

The local community association rescued it from demolition buying it for five hundred Krona (circa 50 euro)! Renovations began in January 1970 reopening three years later with well-known Chaîne member CarlJan Granqvist as the new inn’s first innkeeper. Now “everyone” knows where Grythyttan is … including the Royal family.

Maître Restaurateur Marie Dahlgren was born in Grythyttan just after the reopening and has grown up with the inn. Riding through the village on her pony often foreign-registered cars stopped to ask the way to the inn. Marie soon understood she was living next door to something well known outside Sweden.

As soon as she was old enough, Marie began working at the inn continuing throughout her studies. Teaching and leadership attracted her however the education world didn’t. Like most people in Grythyttan, Marie is a born entrepreneur. She studied management, trained as a Sommelier and having returned to Grythyttan Marie believes that she is living her dream.

Since 2014, Grythyttan with Loka Brunn, 10 kilometres away, is owned by the entrepreneurial Spendrup family with whom Marie was offered the prestigious job as Vice-President.

Gastronomy is always at the top of the agenda. The kitchen consists of young chefs with a great desire for innovation. The original wine cellar, one of the largest in the country, is well managed and developed. Products feature local ingredients, game in abundance, beef carefully selected. In the attic dining room "Kötthimlen" (meat heaven) guests can choose their meat and have it prepared bespoke.

Gradually the inn expanded with guest and conference rooms in neighbouring houses. A converted stable provides a magnificent event venue with a special atmosphere spiced by old furniture covered in fantastic fabrics, different wallpapers in each room and of course black slate is everywhere. Interior design is mad and tasteful masterminded by Marie and CEO Mia Spendrup. Marie’s family all do their fair share too.

Marie is an omnivore who loves eating meat as ethically and morally as possible. If she had to choose just one drink it would be champagne. Her creative side is a great asset in the ongoing product development. As a leader, she is responsible for securing jobs that exist in the area. Marie wants everyone to have fun. The staff seem as if they grew up in the house and never want to move.

Marie’s travel hot list: always Paris and Australia, Iceland, South Africa are close favourites. Eager to learn more from sustainability role model Iceland, South Africa is on the list being at the forefront of modern winemaking.

At home Marie rides daily. After riding at dawn, she is always happy. “And I make sure it's fun, that is my own responsibility”, she says.

Catarina Offe
Conseiller Gastronomique

Photo of the Chef with piece of meat by Julia Berg

Translation into English by Margareta Henry, Chargée de Missions Honoraire