Australian chef Justine Schofield will explore Norway’s food culture and coastal communities in a new eight-part television series filmed aboard voyages along the Norwegian coast and into the Arctic.
Norway Gourmet premieres on SBS Food on October 26 at 7.30pm and will also stream on SBS On Demand.
The series follows MS Schofield aboard Hurtigruten’s Original Coastal Express before continuing north on the Svalbard Line from Bergen to Longyearbyen.
Along the journey, Schofield meets fishers, farmers, foragers and chefs supplying the ships, with episodes featuring Norwegian ingredients and traditions including reindeer, locally harvested seaweed, stockfish and Arctic produce.
Highlights include a reindeer hot dog in Tromsø, truffle seaweed harvested in the Lofoten Islands and reindeer tongue served in coffee with Sámi Culinary Ambassador Máret Rávdná Buljo.
In Longyearbyen, Ms Schofield also cooks with Huset chef Alberto Lozano, who works with locally sourced ingredients.
The series also looks at food production and waste beyond the dining table, including a visit to Stamsund where food waste from ships is composted into fertiliser for farms that later supply produce back to onboard kitchens.
“Norwegians are so proud of their food and produce, and it was incredible to see how the producers and chefs along the coast are honouring their traditions and the environment,” Ms Schofield said.
Damian Perry, Hurtigruten Managing Director APAC, said menus aboard the ships were influenced by what local suppliers had available at ports along the route.
“Our chefs call ahead to see what’s available and that shapes the menu for the days that follow,” Mr Perry said.
