“Chef of the Year” is the biggest, most famous chef competition in Sweden. A dream for chefs and for the winner it is life changing.

We are used to having one or more Chaîne members in the final. In 2023, five out of the eight finalists had a connection to Confrérie (see below). We are especially proud this year that one member won and another achieved silver!

Competitors had to create a cold and a warm dish from Swedish lobster plus one including a reindeer rare cut. Side dishes: some mandatory, some free choice. Rules are the same as the Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs (JCR) Competition.

The quality of cooking was very high. “You made it difficult for us”, said His Royal Highness Prince Carl Philip, both judge and supreme protector of the competition.

Winner of the 2023 Chef of the Year was Maître Rôtisseur Desirée Jaks. She coaches young chefs. Her aim is a modern, good leader for the future. She needs to cook every day to be calm. Desirée prefers to use products from Sweden. Her food memories come from her grandmother.

Rôtisseur Henric Herbertsson was Runner-up. He won Sweden’s National JCR Competition in 2018. He loves sea sports as well as seafood with lobster and herring his favourites. Starting work in kitchen aged 13, he has worked at a Michelin-starred restaurant for many years and revels in the atmosphere. Henric enjoys working in teams, experimenting with different taste combinations and new cooking techniques.

Maître Rôtisseur Marcus Bremdal has competed in Bailliage of Sweden’s JCR Competition. A judge, team leader and coach for many years he loves to help young chefs in their career. A master of traditional Swedish dishes, his food philosophy is simple: good and well cooked.

Former Maître Rôtisseur member, Christian Siberg, has also been a finalist in the Bailliage’s JCR Competition and coach for other winners of the competition. A master of intensive flavours, to experience his 15 courses tasting menu is a real surprise and pleasure. His favourite dish to cook at home is pasta puttanesca.

Maître Rôtisseur Luqaz Ottosson was Sweden’s National JCR winner in 2012. Hailing from Gotland he loves the typical flavours from the island’s terroir. Liking to do different things at the moment his restaurant is a “pop-up”. In between times he works as chef in his daughter's kindergarten. “Children are the most honest guests you can get”, he says.

Catarina Offe
Conseiller Gastronomique

Photos: (c) Årets Kock / Photographer: Samuel Unéus