Forbes has written an article describing how Niklas Ekstedt, our restaurateur, has been pioneering live-fire cooking. Ekstedt has revived ancient cooking techniques that date back to the pre-electricity era, focusing on using wood and open flames to create unique and flavorful dishes. His second restaurant in Stockholm, Ekstedt, is a perfect example of this philosophy, where the dishes are smoked, grilled, or baked using only fire and wood, creating a dining experience that is both rustic and sophisticated.

“Fire is not only an ingredient. It’s an actor in the story that Ekstedt is telling, and the chef is a master director.”

The article also describes how Ekstedt’s influence has inspired chefs around the world to embrace live-fire cooking. This method not only enhances the flavors of the ingredients but also adds a theatrical dimension to the dining experience. Chefs like Ryan Farr and Charlie Hallowell have expressed similar views, emphasizing the simplicity and social aspects of cooking with fire. They highlight that this cooking style is about creating a connection to the food and the process, resulting in dishes that are straightforward yet deeply flavorful, and bringing people together in a shared culinary journey.