News of Norway, May 20, 2003
The TV-series ”New Scandinavian Cooking with Andreas Viestad” was launched last week with much fanfare at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City. The 13-part half-hour series with vibrant young host Andreas Viestad may reach an audience of up to 220 million Americans when it airs on public television this month.
Norwegian introduction
State Secretary Thorhild Widvey, who introduced the show, said:
”To us, this so much more than just a cooking show. Our chef and guide puts his culinary art into context by taking the viewer on an eye-opening voyage throughout Norway with his mobile kitchen. Andreas transports us through the stunning landscapes, and introduces us to the culture of Norway, one of the most spectacularly beautiful countries in the world.“
"New Scandinavian Cooking is a wonderful introduction to Norway, Norwegian food, Norwegian landscapes and Norwegian people. I am confident that you will be as thrilled by ”New Scandinavian Cooking”, by Andreas and by Norway as I am.”
Elements of cooking
Andreas hails from Oslo, the capital of Norway. His passion for food began as a young child, and he takes great pride in his insatiable appetite for new gastronomic experiences. Andreas' profound culinary expertise is informed by history, literature, music and international affairs - all areas he has covered as a journalist for leading Norwegian newspapers and radio stations.
In each of the 13 episodes of this program, Andreas himself ventures out to catch and gather his own ingredients in the Norwegian fjords, mountains and woods – giving full meaning to every element of his recipes. Andreas explains this unique approach to the cooking show genre in these terms: ”It is impossible to relate to food without understanding the culture... In Norway the relationship between nature and food is especially close. To capture this richness and intimacy, we had to cook outdoors”.
On air soon
According to American Public Television Manager Tamara Meyer, 75% of public television in the USA has contracted “New Scandinavian Cooking with Andreas Viestad” – a remarkable number for a new series and a new face. APT expects that the series will introduce Viestad into the club of notable public television masterchefs like Julia Child, Jacques Pepin, Burt Wolf, Lidia Bastianich and Chris Kimball.
In April, 2003, Andreas Viestad’s first English language cookbook Kitchen of Light: New Scandinavian Cooking was published in the U.S., by Artisan Books.
You can find more information about the TV-series on http://www.scandcook.com/ Check your local listings for schedules.
”New Scandinavian Cooking with Andreas Viestad is produced by Nett-tv and sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Norwegian Tourist Board, the Norwegian Seafood Export Council, Tine, the makers of Jarlsberg Cheese, and King Oscar Sardines.