- It has gone absolutely fantastic

Inunnguaq Hegelund has had a hectic summer. He has been in charge of the menu of Greenlandic dishes on all cruise ships from the Norwegian shipping company HX Expeditions, colloquially HX, that have sailed in Greenlandic waters with international guests.

– It has been absolutely fantastic. Many guests have said it was the best meal they have had on the whole trip.

- For me, the most important thing has been that they return home with a better understanding of Greenland and our Arctic cuisine, says Greenlandic master chef Inunnguaq Hegelund.

He says this in a joint statement with the Norwegian cruise line HX Expeditions.

Inunnguaq Hegelund himself has been head chef on one of the ships.

Almost 40 dishes on the menu

He says that the collaboration between HX and his company, Arctic Food by I, has meant that guests on cruise ships in Greenlandic waters have been served 36 different Greenlandic dishes during the summer. Both as lunch menus, dinner menus and a special five-course menu. Inunnguaq Hegelund's team of Greenlandic chefs has been on board each ship. This has been done to ensure the quality of the food and to give guests the opportunity to meet the people who prepare the food. David J. McDonald Greves, the company's senior corporate operational executive chef, who is in charge of all HX's kitchen activities, describes Inunnguaq Hegelund as a pioneer within New Arctic Cuisine.

The name refers to New Nordic Cuisine, which revolutionized Danish and Nordic cooking 15 years ago.

– As an experienced hunter, fisherman and chef, he brings a deep knowledge of local traditions and a passion for showcasing what the Arctic has to offer. His belief in sustainably caught and locally produced ingredients fits perfectly with our mission at HX.

- The partnership allows us to tell Greenland's culinary story with authentic voices – while supporting a broader movement that puts Arctic food on the world map, says David J. McDonald Greves.

He looks forward to and is pleased that guests on HX's cruise ships will also be served Greenlandic food at a high level next year.

- With the feedback we received this year, we had no doubt that we should extend the agreement with Inunnguaq Hegelund. The gastronomic experience gives our Greenland cruises a whole new dimension, says David J. McDonald Greves.

Receives international attention

The master chef's success has also been noticed outside of Greenland.

In August, the renowned travel magazine Travel+Leisure published a six-page article about Inunnguaq Hegelund and the collaboration with HX. The magazine, which is read by millions worldwide, pointed to the project as an example of how locally-sourced food can become an attraction in itself – while also creating awareness of Greenland as a new gastronomic destination.

Can strengthen the food industry

For Inunnguaq Hegelund, success is not only about the culinary experiences that cruise guests have had. He sees the collaboration with the Norwegian shipping company as an obvious opportunity to strengthen the food industry in Greenland. “I hope that Nuuk can develop into an Arctic food hub. Demand is growing, and we are already seeing more local players interested in supplying cruise ships and other major customers,” he says.

At the same time, the partnership with HX has brought Inunnguaq Hegelund and his team around the entire Arctic region. From Greenland to Iceland and Svalbard - and to Denmark.

- It has been a great experience to get around and show what we can do. I am also proud of the young chefs who have really made a difference and showcased Greenland in the best way, he says.