We held this year’s National Final of the Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs Competition in Stockholm. And the winner is … 23 year-old Anton Kardell who works at the Michelin 1-star restaurant SK Mat & Människor (lit. food & people) in Gothenburg.

“We are very proud to have Anton in our team. He is determined and likes challenges, a person we appreciate very much” said the restaurant’s Chef/Owner, Maître Rôtisseur Stefan Karlsson.

Stefan himself has competed in the West Swedish Culinary Team becoming Chef of the Year in 1995. Since then he has coached a long line of upcoming chefs. The most recent one being Henric Herbertsson, named Young Chef 2018, who went on to win a silver medal as a member of the Swedish team in the Culinary Olympics. He also coached Martin Moses who was Young Chef 2019.

Anton said “It is very encouraging to win this prize. There is a lot of work behind it. I have really challenged myself, tested new ideas and practised a lot. I am also grateful to my work mates who have supported me with constructive feedback.”

Continuing to invest generous hours practicing and receiving good advice from colleagues were helping Anton on his way to Paris - until we learned that this year’s International Final had been cancelled due to the coronavirus situation.

Anton has been interested in food from young age so choosing to be a chef was obvious. His favourite product so useful in many ways is butter; his favourite dishes involve preparing different kinds of vegetables.

The mandatory products in the black box for the National Final were pike-perch, duck and the most popular root vegetables and fruits. Anton’s dishes scored at the highest level for quality, good craftsmanship and excellent tastes. Focused, working calmly and having everything organised was Anton’s winning formula.

As Conseiller Culinaire, I was happy to share my 10 years of international competition experience with Anton. My advice to him was: always have a plan B; prepare well; on the day to do his best at the same time be flexible and react to circumstances.

Anton is young with a good CV. He is ambitious, organized, meticulous, sympathetic and easy to work with. The day after the National Final Anton was asked by Swedish Television’s Channel 4 to cook on morning TV, an opportunity no chef wants to miss. He did an excellent job!

Of course, he wants to win the International Final. Even if he doesn’t our experience is that previous winners of the Swedish Final of the Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs Competition have done very well. They have had successful careers as well as success in both team and individual competitions.

Anton will join those winners, of that I am sure.

Catarina Offe
Conseiller Culinaire

Translation into English: Margareta Henry, Chargée de Missions Honoraire
Photos: Catarina Offe, Harald Hynell