The eighth annual food festival and cooking competition Food and Fun is currently being held in Iceland’s capital from March 18 to 22. Chefs from different countries compete in making delicious dishes with Icelandic ingredients.
Icelandic master chef Siggi Hall, who organizes the festival with Baldvin Jónsson, told mbl.is that the event had to be postponed for a few weeks this year because of the economic situation—it is usually held at the end of February or beginning of March.
“Everyone wanted the festival to be held. It has become an established event, just like June 17 and Labor Day weekend,” Hall said. This year the arrangement of the competition will be a little different. It will for example be broadcast on television for the first time.
According to Hall, the competition has become a respected event in the international restaurant scene and chefs are eager to say that they have participated in the competition on their resumes.
The competition received even more recognition after last year’s winner, Norwegian master chef Geir Skeie, also claimed victory at the respected French cooking competition Bocuse d’Or this winter.
“This competition will be more serious, although we won’t forget about the fun,” Hall explained, adding, “The fun will materialize all over town at all sorts of events and restaurants.” A number of Reykjavík restaurants participate in the festival every year.
Click here to watch an audio slideshow of a previous Food and Fun festival.
