Kvitnes Gård, is a renowned farm-to-table restaurant in Vesterålen. The journey of a meal at Kvitnes doesn’t begin when it’s prepared in the kitchen. It takes years of preparation – from good compost, nutritious soil, the right feed, the right weather conditions and gentle harvesting and slaughtering.

“Our commitment to sustainable food production, animal welfare, and continuously improving our guests’ experience is what drives us forward”, says Halvar Ellingsen, Head Chef and Founder of Kvitnes Gård.

Halvar, who was awarded the “International Chef of the Year” by the Italian food magazine Identità Golose in January 2025, envisions European Region of Gastrononmy as a driving force to:

“For me, I hope we can use the status as European Region of Gastronomy to raise the level of food served in Nordland. That more tourism operators gain self-confidence and the competence to choose ingredients from our region. It’s important that we use the time until Nordland gets the status as European Region of Gastronomy to build this competence and pride. This will lead to a lasting change that those of us who live here and those who visit us can enjoy even after 2028”.

– Halvar Ellingsen