Nobel Banquet Becomes a Family Affair for Chefs

Post by : Saif Nasser

In the busy kitchen of Stockholm’s City Hall, chefs are working hard to prepare a lavish dinner for the Nobel Prize banquet this week. The annual banquet is one of Sweden’s most prestigious events, bringing together Nobel laureates, their families, the Swedish royal family, and many notable guests.

This year, more than forty chefs are entrusted with creating a three-course meal for 1,300 people. Pi Le and Tommy Myllymaki, who run a two-star Michelin restaurant on Djurgarden Island in Stockholm, are in charge of the first two courses. “We want to implement our way of cooking, our DNA, and put it into this dinner,” Le said. “Take something that you recognise in flavour and add a little bit of a twist.”

The menu was carefully planned and set at the end of September after many trial runs. However, it remains a closely guarded secret, and will not be revealed until guests are seated in the Blue Hall, where 59 tables are set for the evening.

Chefs shared some hints about the ingredients. The dishes feature Nordic forest flavors, including dried porcini mushrooms in the first course and wild raspberries and sloe berries for dessert. Guests will also enjoy 400 bottles of champagne with the starter.

For the chefs, the Nobel banquet is more than just cooking—it is a family affair. The tableware has been updated for the first time in over thirty years. Oak knives, designed with the help of Le’s brother, were handmade for the banquet. Creating 1,300 knives from Swedish wood was time-consuming, and Le said that his parents and sister came to help meet the deadline.

Even the dessert reflects personal memories and family traditions. Nobel pastry chef Frida Backe, returning for her second year, drew inspiration from childhood days spent in the forest with her grandparents. Sloe berries, a somewhat forgotten fruit, required patience and creativity to incorporate into the dessert, she explained.

The Nobel Prize banquet is not only a celebration of science, literature, and peace, but also a showcase of culinary art and family collaboration. The combination of professional skill, local ingredients, and personal memories ensures that the dinner will be a memorable experience for everyone attending.

This year’s banquet demonstrates that behind the grandeur and elegance, family and tradition play an important role. From the chefs’ kitchens to the royal tables, the event reflects care, creativity, and dedication, making the Nobel Prize banquet a true blend of history, culture, and personal stories.