Michael Andersson, the Chef of the Year 2024 (Årets Kock) lunch at Nour

On the 24th of March, we hosted Spendups, the Årets Kock committee and the Chef of the Year Michael Andersson for their yearly “Dish of the Year” lunch. Årets Kock is Sweden’s official championship in professional cooking – and the country’s most prestigious culinary competition. Since its inception in 1983, the competition has aimed to showcase Sweden’s top culinary talent, inspire both industry professionals and the public and push the boundaries of Swedish gastronomy.

In the final, dishes are judged on taste, technique, presentation, and innovation. The jury includes some of Sweden’s most acclaimed chefs and culinary figures, further underlining the competition’s prestige. Winning Årets Kock is about more than recognition and a diploma – it comes with prize money, ambassadorial opportunities for Swedish gastronomy, and a major career boost. For many chefs, it marks a defining moment and a confirmation of excellence at the highest level. Each year, the reigning champion creates a signature dish that embodies current culinary trends, sustainability, and their personal cooking philosophy. The goal is to inspire home cooks and professional chefs alike with recipes that are both innovative and accessible.

Michael Andersson chose to introduce a flavorful lamb taco in barbacoa style at Nour. This dish combined smoky, slow-cooked Swedish lamb with global spices, topped with a salsa made from Swedish tomatoes and a classic pico de gallo. Andersson aimed to encourage communal cooking and the exploration of diverse spices. “With Dish of the Year 2025, I want to inspire cooking that brings people together and creates a sense of community in the kitchen. Cooking together is a wonderful way to build connections and create memories. Through this dish, I hope to encourage playfulness and curiosity – a taco can work for everyone, as long as you’re willing to experiment. I want to challenge the Swedish people to try new things, cook more, and have fun in the kitchen!”, Michael said during lunch.

“Through this dish, I hope to encourage playfulness and curiosity – a taco can work for everyone, as long as you’re willing to experiment. I want to challenge the Swedish people to try new things, cook more, and have fun in the kitchen!”
– Michael Andersson, Årets Kock 2024

Spendrups Melleruds also collaborates with the current chef of the year for a “Melleruds Mästerbrygd” (Master brew), This year’s edition of Melleruds Mästarbrygd is brewed with organic hops and malt. The aroma offers malty notes of toffee and hay, complemented by a fresh hint of citrus and floral tones. The taste is dry and full-bodied, balanced by an elegant bitterness and a hop-aromatic finish.

We’d like to express our gratitude to Årets Kock and Spendrups for choosing to host their lunch with us. If you are interested in cooking Michael’s dish, you can find a full recipe here.