Programme five: Copenhagen
Copenhagen is internationally renowned for its food, culture and quality of life, and keen to explore its spectacular city centre, Rory opts for a canal tour.
In keeping with the Danish capital’s environmentally friendly ethos, he travels in a solar powered, battery operated boat. Joining Rory on his boat trip is Michael Booth, a bestselling author and expert on Nordic culture and cuisine. Michael explains why Copenhagen is such an extraordinary place to live and regularly tops surveys measuring quality of life.
Back on dry land, Rory spots a bakery selling Flødeboller, a delicious Danish confection comprising a biscuit base topped with meringue, and coated in chocolate. After sampling a Flødeboller, Rory is delighted when the baker invites him to try his hand at making them – more of a challenge than it might seem.
The Danish concept of ‘hygge’ has recently become fashionable outside Denmark. Rory heads to Restaurant Schønnemann, a traditional Copenhagen restaurant to meet Lise Ulrich, a local writer and photographer.
Lise explains how hygge is all about feeling calm, comfortable and at ease in your surroundings, and the concept even includes certain types of food. The perfect example of hygge food is a type of Danish open sandwich known as Smørrebrød, Restaurant Schønnemann’s speciality. Rory and Lise enjoy some Smørrebrød together to complete his introduction to hygge.
Just outside Copenhagen is the ‘Farm of Ideas’, owned by leading restaurateur and chef, Christian Puglisi. Rory ventures out to the farm where Christian’s chefs also produce organic ingredients used in their restaurants. Back in the city centre, Rory visits Christian’s Italian themed restaurant Baest, and enjoys a delicious Marinara pizza made with the farm’s produce.
No trip to Copenhagen would be complete without admiring some contemporary Danish design. Rory’s next stop is the Designer Zoo, part shop and part gallery, where seventy five independent Danish designers and craftspeople are given a place to display their work. Owner Karsten Lauritsen is also an acclaimed designer and his bean shaped ‘Bønnebordet’ tables are considered a modern design classic. Karsten invites Rory into his studio to see how they’re made.
As Copenhagen is famous for its seafood, Rory heads to Kødbyens Fiskebar one of the most celebrated fish restaurants in the city located in the hip former Meatpacking District. Head chef Jamie Lee serves a delighted Rory multiple tasty courses, including Wild Danish Oysters with Apple Vinaigrette, and Hake with unripened Strawberries, Artichokes, Spinach and Watercress.
Back home in Cork, Rory creates a recipe inspired by his trip – Fish Cakes with Wild Garlic, Tartare Sauce and Foraged Wild Greens, a seafood variation on traditional Danish Frikadeller meatballs.
A Long Weekend in … with Rory O’Connell is produced by David Hare of
InProductionTV for RTÉ and sponsored by Neff.
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