Espen Laumann, 21-year-old from Brønnøysund, is the young talent that will represent Trondheim-Trøndelag, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2022 at the European Young Chef Award 2021, to be held in Braga (Minho, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2016) on 23-24 November.
“Food and gastronomy are my way of bringing people together. What pushes me most in my own cooking, is refining traditional dishes, trying to add my own special touch to them,” affirms Espen.
His culinary journey began at the early age of 12, when he took his first steps in a professional kitchen. After entering higher education, at 19 he realised that cooking was what he really wanted to do in his life and decided to carve his own path towards it by enrolling in culinary school.
During his apprenticeship at Britannia Hotel in Trondheim, he had the chance to experience the world of high-end cooking, which he really enjoys. Thanks to his hard work, he was then awarded his current trial apprenticeship at 1-Michelin-starred restaurant Speilsalen.
“My expectations towards the European Young Chef are to evolve at a personal level, as well as connect with the other competitors and cuisines from all over Europe.”
At the EYCA 2021, Espen will prepare an innovative reinterpretation of a traditional Norwegian dish based on a fishball garnished with potato, kohlrabi and bacon.
About the European Young Chef Award
The European Young Chef Award is an annual competition organised by IGCAT that gathers young culinary talents from the awarded and candidate European Regions of Gastronomy. Selected each year through local contests, finalists to the European Young Chef Award compete by innovating traditional recipes from their regions using local ingredients.
The 5th edition of the European Young Chef Award is organised and promoted by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Art and Tourism (IGCAT) and hosted by the Municipality of Braga (Portugal) in Minho, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2016. The competition will be held in the renovated Municipal Market of Braga on 23-24 November 2021 and will gather finalists from 10 European Regions of Gastronomy.
About the European and World Regions of Gastronomy
Candidate and awarded European and World Regions of Gastronomy, guided by IGCAT, are working together to strengthen food security through the celebration of distinctive food cultures; create employment by stimulating creativity and gastronomic innovation; nourish children and adults through culinary and cultural education; drive environmental sustainability in tourism, hospitality and agricultural sectors; support balance and sustainable tourism practices; highlight and support expertise from within rural and urban communities, creating connections and sharing good practises; and contribute to community health and well-being.
About IGCAT
IGCAT aims to empower local communities by raising awareness of the importance to protect and promote distinct regional food, culture, arts and natural assets as part of sustainable and balanced tourism and development strategies. This is essential to safeguard our planet, health, wellness and local economies.
IGCAT is a non-profit institute established in 2012, working with regional stakeholder consortiums in the fields of gastronomy, culture, arts and tourism. It counts on the expertise of a worldwide network of experts and works in partnership with specialised intergovernmental organisations.
IGCAT founded the European and the World Region of Gastronomy Award and is the official secretariat for the European and World Regions of Gastronomy Platform. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the European Young Chef Award, the European Food Gift Challenge, the Top Websites for Foodie Travelers and the Food Film Menu.