Anita Klemensen
Anita Klemensen | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1977 (age 46–47) |
| Culinary career | |
| Cooking style | New Nordic cuisine |
Rating(s) | |
Current restaurant(s)
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Anita Klemensen (born 1977) is a Danish chef, who held a Michelin star at New Nordic cuisine restaurant Den Røde Cottage, which she also co-owned. She was the first female Danish chef to win a star. After eight years Klemensen closed the restaurant at the end of 2017. In 2018 the restaurant re-opened under new management.
Career
[edit]
Anita Klemensen was born in 1977, and grew up in North Jutland County. She wanted to become a chef, so one day offered to work for free at the restaurant Søllerød Kro, where she was offered an apprenticeship. She trained under pastry chef Markus Grigogav and head chef Casper Vedel.[1]
Klemensen opened the restaurant Den Røde Cottage, and the cafe Den Gule Cottage in 2010,[2] at Cottageparken located around ten miles away from Copenhagen.[3] She had previously worked as head chef in central Copenhagen.[2]
At Den Røde Cottage, Klemensen served New Nordic cuisine. This means that all of the elements served are sourced from in the local area,[4] with a few exceptions which are sourced from elsewhere in Denmark.[3] The restaurant itself is within a forest, which offers a plentiful supply of herbs during warmer months. She kept to a seasonal menu, featuring dishes such as Onions, Onions, Onions which had onions served in four different ways during the winter.[4] She took British chef Rick Stein foraging while he was researching his book Rick Stein's Long Weekends.[5]
When she was told that she had won a Michelin star at the restaurant, she did not believe it. The first she heard of it was when a friend telephoned her with congratulations.[6] She knew that the restaurant had been visited on three occasions by the inspectors prior to the 2012 guide, but did not anticipate winning a star. When it was awarded, Klemensen became the first Danish woman to win the accolade.[7]
Klemensen wanted to take some time off and closed down Den Røde Cottage as well as Den Gule Cottage just before Christmas 2017.
References
[edit]- ^ "Anita styrer køkkenet på 1. th". AOK (in Danish). 15 October 2007. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ a b "Topkok tager på landet". AOK (in Danish). 8 March 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ a b Isherwood, Julian. "Cottage in the woods". The Official Website of Denmark. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ a b "New Nordic nosh". Evening Standard. 18 April 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ Stein, Rick (2016). Rick Stein's Long Weekends. London: BBC Books. p. 208. ISBN 978-1-785940-927.
- ^ Behrendtzen, Stine (3 April 2012). "Kokkens køkken: Anita Klemensen". Politiken (in Danish). Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ Thorsen, Nils (14 March 2012). "Danmark får sin første kvindelige michelinrestauratør". Politiken (in Danish). Retrieved 22 November 2017.