Denmark Sets Michelin Record; Guide Includes Second City Aarhus

Until now, Copenhagen has been the only Danish city to receive the attention of the Michelin guide but this year sees the launch of the new 'Guide Michelin Nordic Cities' allowing for Denmark's second city, Aarhus, to be featured for the very first time with three one star restaurants.

The first edition of the Michelin Nordic Cities guide recommends the best places to eat and stay in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Helsinki, Oslo, Stockholm, Malmö and Gothenburg and for the first time ever, the French guide is including restaurants in Nordic cities with less than 500,000 inhabitants. This has made room for Denmark's second city, Aarhus, to be featured in the Michelin universe, and the newcomer is making its debut in style boasting no less than three one star restaurants and two Bib Gourmands.

The new guide has also awarded 18 of its coveted stars to 15 restaurants in Copenhagen compared to 17 stars to 15 restaurants in 2014; a new record for the city, underlining its position as the Nordic region's gastronomic capital. In addition to the prestigious stars, Copenhagen was also awarded 10 Bib Gourmands given to restaurants that offer excellent value for money.

- The New Nordic Cuisine is positioning Denmark as one of Europe's new gourmet destinations and more and more Danish chefs are receiving international recognition for their ambitions and skill. This year, Copenhagen once again solidifies its position as gastronomic capital of the Nordic region and we are thrilled to see Aarhus entering the Guide Michelin universe for the first time. I hope this will be the first step towards redrawing the culinary map of Denmark and that restaurants from other parts of the country will also find their way into the 'Guide Michelin Nordic Cities' as the guide concept develops in years to come, said Mr. Dennis Englund, Director, VisitDenmark UK.

Mr. Englund added that there are a number of restaurants across the country which Danish food critics and others who are in the gastronomic know regard as having Michelin star potential and that several Bib Gourmands would be granted as well, should the Michelin Guide consider a gastronomic tour to other parts of the country.

A major gastro-year ahead

The new Michelin stars and guide augment an already packed gastro calendar in Copenhagen and Aarhus. Highlights this year include:

The Copenhagen Cooking festival, which is the largest of its kind in Northern Europe, takes place for the eleventh time this summer and is expected to draw more than 100,000 visitors to Copenhagen, August 21-30 2015. www.copenhagencooking.com

The FOOD Festival takes place for the fifth time in 2015 in Aarhus, September 4-6. The organizers are busy planning the programmes for this year's ambitious food festival and are delighted that the Guide Michelin 2015 has re-confirmed Denmark's strong position as a gastronomic frontrunner and a 'must go' destination for foodie lovers worldwide. http://foodfestival.dk

About Guide Michelin

Guide Michelin was founded in 1900 as handbooks for motorists but became the benchmark of good food after introducing a star-rating system in 1926, publishing regular updates on thousands of restaurants on a list of countries.

Michelin starred restaurants in Copenhagen, 2015:

• Noma (2 stars)
• Geranium (2 stars)
• AOC (2 stars) NEW
• Grønbech & Churchill (1 star)
• Relæ (1 star)
• Den røde Cottage (1 star)
• Søllerød Kro (1 star)
• Era Ora (1 star)
• Kiin Kiin (1 star)
• Formel B (1 star)
• Kadeau (1 star)
• Clou (1 star)
• Marchal (1 star)
• Studio (1 star)

Michelin starred restaurants in Aarhus, 2015:

• Frederikshøj (1 star) NEW
• Gastromé (1 star) NEW
• Substans (1 star) NEW

Bib Gourmand rated Restaurants in Copenhagen, 2015:

• Rebel
• Pluto
• Bror
• Marv & Ben
• Frederiks Have
• Kødbyens Fiskebar
• Restaurant Melee
• L'Altro antiristorante
• Famo
• Enomania Bib Gourmand rated Restaurants in Aarhus, 2015:
• Hærværk NEW!
• Pondus NEW!

Images:

Selected photos ready for download here:

http://copenhagenmediacenter.com/#/photo/1510 (Restaurant AOC)

http://copenhagenmediacenter.com/#/photo/2164 (Restaurant Clou)

http://copenhagenmediacenter.com/#/photo/2214 (Restaurant Noma)

For more images, please see:

www.copenhagenmediacenter.com and www.denmarkmediacenter.com

For further press information

Press Officer, Kathrine Lind Gustavussen at klg@visitdenmark.com or tel. 020 7201 3970