Holmen LofotenRich Cox

Perched on the edge of the wild Lofoten archipelago in the arctic north of Norway you will find Holmen Lofoten, and in its restaurant, head chef Rich Cox. Rich is well known for his love of exceptional local produce, the discovery of which was a priority when he moved to Norway from the UK in 2020. He works closely with local suppliers to create a strong food community wherever he goes.

Holmen LofotenWith humble beginnings washing dishes at the age of thirteen, Rich worked his way through every position in the kitchen in his home county of Buckinghamshire, before moving to London and Bordeaux. Eventually settling in the SW of England, he immersed himself in restaurants that shared his regard for high quality produce with great provenance. This led to his appointment as head chef of The Ethicurean, Bristol. From there, he was headhunted for the head chef role at Holmen Lofoten. Nowadays he delivers fantastic food year-round in his arctic hometown, for which he is quickly earning Holmen a reputation as an unmissable Scandinavian food-destination. 

With one hand in the restaurant and one hand buried in the soil, you will often find this tall Englishman foraging, fishing or fanatically gardening. Working in a part of the world where the warm season is so short, it’s crucial to take advantage of the summer bounty by creatively preserving the gluts for the leaner winter months. Rich knows that by treating your ingredients with respect and consideration, you can enjoy all that nature has to offer whilst maintaining a healthy equilibrium with the environment.