Emanuel Tärnqvist has been appointed Executive Chef of Operakällaren and at the same time takes over as Culinary Director for the entire Operahuset. The appointment marks a new chapter for the house and aims to further strengthen the quality and the gastronomic experience in both restaurant and event activities.
Tärnqvist is classically trained in French cuisine and has previously worked in both Australia and Paris. In 2015, he returned to Sweden and started working closely with Daniel Höglander. Three months later, they opened the award-winning restaurant Aloë, which boasts two stars in the Michelin Guide. After almost a decade as creative partners, the duo took over culinary responsibility for Operakällaren last summer. Now Emanuel is stepping up to the role of Executive Chef and will have overall responsibility for the culinary expression of the entire Operahuset.
"It feels natural to take on the role of Executive Chef for Operakällaren - it's here in the kitchen that I belong and in the dining room that I meet the guests. It is equally natural to take a holistic approach to the building. Operahuset must deliver food at the highest level, whether it's an intimate dinner in the dining room or a corporate event for 300 people on Operaterrassen. Within its respective segment, it must maintain the absolute highest level - every time", says Emanuel Tärnqvist.
"We are seeing an increased demand for large dinners, both from private and corporate clients. By appointing Emanuel as the creative leader of the gastronomic experience throughout the house, we ensure that everything served is absolutely top class," says Oscar Durling, CEO of Operahuset.
With Tärnqvist at the helm, Operahuset continues to develop its gastronomic offering with the aim of creating exceptional dining experiences - whether it's an intimate star restaurant experience or a banquet for several hundred guests.
"My and Daniel's goal when we took over Operakällaren last summer was to open up the building in a new way and create a place where people meet and share unforgettable moments. We have come a long way - and now I look forward to continuing to develop the kitchen and being the first culinary leader at Operakällaren to take two stars," says Emanuel Tärnqvist.
Operakällaren opened in 1787 and is one of Sweden's most prestigious restaurants. Under Tore Wretman's management from 1955, Operakällaren became a renowned gastronomic institution that introduced new cooking techniques and made the restaurant internationally renowned.
