Michael Björklund

3–4 February 2023

In brief

Chef of the Year 1997 (Finland) and Årets Kock 2000 (Sweden)
Bocuse d’Or 1999, fifth place
Founder of Smakbyn, Kastelholm, Åland
Tourism Personality of the Year 2016
Cook on Strömsö, Yle

The guest chef tasting a sauce in the kitchen

About the visit

Michael Björklund has been named Chef of the Year in two countries: Finland in 1997 and Sweden in 2000, the latter at twenty-four. He placed fifth in the Bocuse d’Or in 1999.

Björklund is from Åland, where he founded Smakbyn at Kastelholm in 2012 and runs it with his wife Jenny Björklund. In Finland he is also known as the cook on the television programme Strömsö. His kitchen rests on Nordic ingredients, on producers and on archipelago cooking — and on simple, clear flavours.

Photographs from the evening