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  4. In Pics: An unforgettable Norwegian culinary trip with the National Chef of the Year team

One of the highlights of our National Chef of the Year partnership is taking the winner on his or her culinary prize trip. This year as well as Kuba Winkowski, we also invited organiser of NCOTY and Vice-President of the Craft Guild of Chefs, David Mulcahy and runner-up of the competition in 2018, George Blogg.

Read our NCOTY Chef Insight Series

Our journey began from Terminal 2 of London Heathrow Airport where we flew to Stavanger. On arrival, there was time for a few drinks and time to connect at our hotel, Clarion Collection Hotel Skagen Brygge before getting some sleep to begin our Norwegian adventures the next morning.

Three days of adventures It was an early start for the first part of our trip with a quick breakfast at the hotel before being whisked to the Figgjo Factory for a tour. We were able to watch the products being made with demonstrations from the team and then actually have a go at making them ourselves. Our creative skills were truly put to the test at the potters wheel, but it was loads of fun.

New recruits on the potters wheel at #Figgio in Norway for the #NCOTY prize trip @kuba_winkowski @bunzllockhart

20 Likes, 0 Comments - The Craft Guild of Chefs (@craftguildofchefs) on Instagram: "New recruits on the potters wheel at #Figgio in Norway for the #NCOTY prize trip @kuba_winkowski..."

During this tour, the team were fortunate enough to be able to meet Chef Christian Andre Petterson who was the representative for the Norwegian team and bronze medallist at the 2018 Bocuse D’Or competition.

Great to meet Chef Christian Andre Petterson who competed in Bocuse D'Or for Norway with @bunzllockhart #NCOTY prize trip @kuba_winkowski @capnorway

31 Likes, 2 Comments - The Craft Guild of Chefs (@craftguildofchefs) on Instagram: "Great to meet Chef Christian Andre Petterson who competed in Bocuse D'Or for Norway with..."

We had an amazing evening dinner at Fisketorget which is a fish and seafood restaurant where the menu is based on the day's catch. The chefs focus exclusively on local, short-lived raw materials. Here’s a selection of the dishes we were able to enjoy.

Last night @kuba_winkowski @davidmulcahy1 and George Blogg were treated to a fantastic meal at Fisketorget on the @BunzlLockhart #NCOTY winners trip - fantastic!

32 Likes, 3 Comments - The Craft Guild of Chefs (@craftguildofchefs) on Instagram: "Last night @kuba_winkowski @davidmulcahy1 and George Blogg were treated to a fantastic meal at..."

The next day, it was time to set sail on our boat trip over to Brimse Island, with a halibut fishing trip and lunch included in the adventure. Brimse is a relatively small island, located eight nautical miles north-northeast of Stavanger. The scenery was absolutely stunning and admired by everyone on the trip. We enjoyed a lunch of halibut cooked over wooden planks by Chef Yiannis from Ryfylke Kokken. It was fantastic to be able to sample some of the other local produce from the Fjords including foraged herbs and local tomatoes.

Today our #NCOTY team are enjoying a #halibut #fishing trip in Norway with @BunzlLockhart @davidmulcahy1 @kuba_winkowski

32 Likes, 0 Comments - The Craft Guild of Chefs (@craftguildofchefs) on Instagram: "Today our #NCOTY team are enjoying a #halibut #fishing trip in Norway with @BunzlLockhart..."

?It's been an amazing #fishing trip for #NCOTY @kuba_winkowski, George Blogg and @davidmulcahy1 with the team from @BunzlLockhart - this competition really does provide awesome experiences for our winning #chefs ?

52 Likes, 0 Comments - The Craft Guild of Chefs (@craftguildofchefs) on Instagram: "?It's been an amazing #fishing trip for #NCOTY @kuba_winkowski, George Blogg and @davidmulcahy1..."

Local produce in the #Fjords. Wood smoked #Halibut, foraged #herbs and local #tomatoes! Delicious @bunzllockhart #NCOTY

30 Likes, 0 Comments - The Craft Guild of Chefs (@craftguildofchefs) on Instagram: "Local produce in the #Fjords. Wood smoked #Halibut, foraged #herbs and local #tomatoes! Delicious..."

?It's been a truly special day over in Norway with @BunzlLockhart - our chefs are having an amazing time on the #NCOTY trip. ?

13 Likes, 0 Comments - The Craft Guild of Chefs (@craftguildofchefs) on Instagram: "?It's been a truly special day over in Norway with @BunzlLockhart - our chefs are having an amazing..."

For the evening meal, it was another incredible dining experience as we went to Michelin-starred Tango Restaurant. This eatery offers a seasonal seven course menu made from the best local produce. The NCOTY trio were delighted to be able to meet the Norwegian chefs after the meal and learn more about the inspiration behind the dishes.

Last night @kuba_winkowski @davidmulcahy1 and George Blogg enjoyed a fantastic meal at Tango in Stavenger with the @bunzllockhart team as part of the #NCOTY trip. Here's a selection of the photos from this amazing dinner.

33 Likes, 0 Comments - The Craft Guild of Chefs (@craftguildofchefs) on Instagram: "Last night @kuba_winkowski @davidmulcahy1 and George Blogg enjoyed a fantastic meal at Tango in..."

The following morning, we met in the hotel reception at 6.30am so we could make our flight from Stavanger Airport to Oslo. We had the opportunity to explore the city before a lunch at Restaurant Sentralen. The chefs definitely weren’t going hungry on this trip. In the early evening, the final meal of the trip was at another amazing Michelin-starred restaurant, Galt, with a 10-dish dinner created by Bjorn Svensson. This was a meal to remember as you can see in these photos.

It's been a fantastic final day in Oslo for the #NCOTY and @bunzllockhart team - an amazing ten course dinner was the perfect way to end an amazing #culinary trip.

38 Likes, 1 Comments - The Craft Guild of Chefs (@craftguildofchefs) on Instagram: "It's been a fantastic final day in Oslo for the #NCOTY and @bunzllockhart team - an amazing ten..."

What did the chefs think of the trip?

It’s fair to say the chefs boarded the plane home feeling a little heavier than when they left but with many new memories made and friendships formed, they reflected back on the trip. On return to the UK, David Mulcahy summed up the views of us all saying: "Kuba and George, you continue to be perfect ambassadors for the NCOTY and of course friends for years to come. From dining on whale meat to toasting with aquavit and so much in between, I am sure stories and memories will continue to be shared for a long time."

You can see more of the adventures in the Instagram Highlights via the Craft Guild of Chefs.

As current winner of the competition, Kuba added his thoughts: "Lockhart - thank you for the extra 5kg in weight (I have struggled with my work trousers this morning). On a serious note I had a great three days so thank you for organising and to your Norwegian partners who invested their time too. I think we all agree it was a great trip where I have unwound and relaxed, especially on the boat trip."

Back at work at Gravetye Manor, George Blogg shared his thoughts on the experience by emailing: "Thank you so much to everyone involved in making this trip so special. It is lovely to spend time with people that are so passionate and driven in their work, and extremely interesting to have a chance to chat about the industry and how it is all so connected. Norway is a stunning country with a real sense of pride in the food, the culture and its future."

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