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Sweden - Carl Jan Granqvist

Bailliage of Sweden
Stockholm, March 10, 2023

Maître Restaurateur and Officier Commandeur
" one of the most well-known gastronomic profiles in Sweden "

Carl Jan Granqvist has one of the most well-known gastronomic profiles in Sweden. With an extensive CV. “Never had a normal job”, he says, “only fun hobbies.”

Growing up in an academic home in Örebro, Carl Jan’s early years were in an adult environment. Time with “Aunt Ella”, the family’s cook, in the kitchen meant Carl Jan could cook to his heart's delight.

Despite being severely dyslexic, he progressed well at school. Memorizing everything was his strategy. He learned about cultivation and Swedish apple varieties.

At 20 he began a restaurant course followed by internships at Operakällaren, the prestigious restaurant in Stockholm, and Vin & Spritcentralen (wine and spirits centre). Art history studies, an extra job at the Swedish Auctions Agency, and opening an antique shop. Love of beautiful things is a lifetime passion. He loves to shop!

Headhunted at 26 he became the youngest innkeeper ever at Gästgiveriet, an inn saved from demolition in the small village of Grythyttan. He created a restaurant college in the Swedish Pavilion at the world exhibition in Seville, Spain in 1992. It became Måltidens Hus (House of Meals), a popular destination for visitors, including education facilities, a cookbook museum.

A new era for the Grythyttan unfolded with business booming. To accommodate visitors he rescued old houses from demolition along the village’s street.

A great interest in wine led to a widely known TV programme created with a colleague. Expressions such as the unforgettable “smell of sweaty horse” and “rotten pile of leaves” were expressions describing a wine's multifaceted character. “That's how, completely by accident, I ended up in the entertainment industry”, reflected Carl Jan. In 1986 Vinkällaren Grappe, the largest wine storage cellar in Scandinavia, saw the light of day. Now widely used for tastings, training and gastronomic events.

Neither star Chef nor Sommelier Carl Jan became a master at creating complete meal experiences. Food, drink and the environment must work together.

Since starting Grythyttan, Carl Jan has been involved in almost every gastronomic project. In connection with the latest exhibition in Dubai he published, in seven languages including Arabic and Chinese, “Swedish Gastronomy, a global success”.

During 2023 Sweden holds the European Union Presidency. Carl Jan is overseeing regional meals, whilst the King of Sweden takes care of Stockholm’s meal. A good way to share the work they think. Hard-working members of the Gastronomic Academy, they have known each other since the “coup” in Grythyttan in the Seventies.

The royal couple were travelling nearby, Carl Jan persuaded the entourage to detour to Gästgiveriet. On the village street Carl Jan and his staff met up with champagne and canapés. The royal couple stepped out of their car, enjoyed the tastes and have come back several times since.

“Now only the future remains”, says Carl Jan aged 75. He plans to convert his private mansion in Saxå Bruk into a gastronomic house to spread knowledge to professionals.

Phenomenal entrepreneurship and a good entertainer, endless anecdotes are told in a humorous way. Delighting that his audience cries with laughter. Never dull, only insanely funny. A good laugh prolongs life, everyone knows that.

Based on a longer article provided by Catarina Offe, Conseiller Gastronomique, with translation from the original Swedish by Margareta Henry, Chargée de Missions Honoraire

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