Jens Peter Kolbeck
Christie’s Restaurant
Sonder Hostrup Kro, Denmark
http://www.christies.dk
Many chefs are inspired as children while watching their mothers and grandmothers prepare delightful meals before their very eyes. Therefore, it is hard to imagine that renowned chef Jens Peter Kolbeck spent this part of his life behind a closed kitchen door. Mrs. Kolbeck forbade her three sons from entering the kitchen in fear of pre-meal munching. This exile made it difficult for Jens Peter to gain any knowledge of food or cooking, – but that did not stop him from becoming enticed by the mystery that lingered just behind those doors. In fact, he made a very successful career out of this childhood enigma.
Kolbeck began his quest for culinary knowledge as a young boy working in a bakery. Eventually his older brother Borge began an apprenticeship at the Hotel Dagmar in Ribe, Denmark. Compelled by his brother´s success, Kolbeck began an apprenticeship at the Hotel Dagmar as well. Challenged to succeed, the next step was to go to D´Angleterre in Copenhagen. His time spent at D´Angleterre opened up endless doors to such places as Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Hamburg and Hotel Savoy in London. He invested every moment of time he had into learning, creating a greater path for his culinary journey. This impressive path included a trip to America where he worked at the Danish embassy in Washington, D.C., and at the Hotel Waldorf in New York. He soon returned to European soil to work for six different hotels and many different chefs in France: L´Auberge de l´Ill, Ilhaeusern in Alsace, Michel Guerard, Eugenie-Les-Bains; Aquitquine, Mougins; Mougins, Cote d´Azur; Troisgros, Roanne; Paul Bocuse, Collognes-au-Mont-d´Or, and finally at La Pyramide, Vienne. While at L´Auberge de L´Ill, Kolbeck met with the Danish royal family, this creating another grand opportunity for himself.
For seven years, Jens Peter served the Danish royal family as the Gastronomic Principal Officer, and was responsible for all of the royal kitchens. Following this period, he went to the Falsled Inn and then to Kong Hans. In 1988 Jens Peter and his brother Borge opened Christie´s. The name was taken from a combination of their children´s names, Christophe and Stephanie. The restaurant has become wildly popular and has received many awards, such as ‚“Best Restaurant of the Year‚” in 1993 and again in 2000. In 1999 the group IAT bought Christie´s and Jens Peter remains as the managing principal partner. He is most adamant about the quality at Christie´s. Every detail, from the divine cuisine to the superior service, creates a welcoming and invigorating ambience. The wine cellar has an extensive variety, and the staff of managers is knowledgeable, adding to the experience.
Over the years, Jens Peter won many competitions and awards. To name a few: 1980 First Prize ‚“Den Gronne Pris,‚” agriculture; 1987, First Prize, ‚“Den Gyldne Kokkehue;‚” 1990, First and Third Prize, ‚“Chef Europeen du Poisson,‚” Copenhagen; and in 1992, First PriZe at Euro-Toques, Denmark. He also holds numerous accolades including 1980 Chaine de Rotisseurs, 1984 Cordon Bleu de Saint Esprit, and 1990 Distinction, ‚“Det Danske Gastronomiske Akademi.‚” In addition to his many accomplishments, Jens Peter has also co-authored a number of books: 1982 Norsk Flatfisk (Norwegian Flat Fish), 1996 Decemberretter (December Dishes), 2001 Nordiske National retter, to name a few, and is working on more books.
