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Eyvind Hellstrom is a modern fish and seafood master who used to run the two-Michelin starred Bagatatelle restaurant in Oslo.
He’s the author of a number of books on gastronomy and is the presenter of the Norwegian version of Kitchen Nightmares.
He’s a frequent judge in the bi-annual Bocuse d’Or cooking competition in Lyon and more recently he’s signed up as a mentor for S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2015, helping Christian André Pettersen from Norway perfect his dish of East Meets West - a dish composed of Nordic ingredients and Asian techniques.
We caught up for a quick chat with Hellstrom to find out more about his own career and hear his advice to the young chefs of today.
Who was your most important mentor for your profession?
Jean Troisgros, Paul Bocuse, Joel Robuchon.
What’s the best advice you were ever given when you were training?
Go to France.
Is there one mistake you see young chefs making very often?
Young chefs are putting together too many ingredients.
What are the best characteristics a young chef can have, nowadays?
Kind of humble approach and learning the basics of the profession by working with experienced chefs for years.
What are the worst?
Standing out as a genius after a short time of experience in the kitchen.
What’s your main focus in advising the S.Pellegrino Young Chef candidate of your region?
Advising the importance of texture and consistency of the food. It goes along with the beautiful taste.
What’s your message to all the finalists of S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2015 worldwide?
I advise all young chefs to travel and see the world and all the different food cultures.
