- It has gone absolutely fantastic

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

- It's gone absolutely fantastic. Many guests have said that it was the best meal ever the journey they have been given.

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

- It's gone absolutely fantastic. Many guests have said that it was the best meal ever the journey they have been given.

- For me, has the most important thing been that they go home with a better understanding of Greenland and our Arctic kitchen, says the 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 at 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 during the summer have been served as many as 36 different ones Greenlandic dishes. Both as lunch menus, evening menus and a special one five-course menu. Inunnguaq Hegelund's team of Greenlandic chefs has been on board each ship. This has happened to ensure the quality of the food and to give the guests the opportunity to meet the people who prepare the food. David J. McDonald Greves, the shipping company's senior corporate operational executive chef, who is in charge of all HX's kitchen activities, describes Inunnguaq Hegelund as a pioneer in New Arctic Cuisine.

The name refers to New Nordic Cuisine, on danish the Nordic cuisine that revolutionized the Danish and Nordic cuisine 15 years ago cooking.

– As experienced hunter, fisherman and cook, he brings a deep knowledge of local traditions and has a passion to show what the Arctic has to offer. His belief in sustainable caught and locally produced ingredients fit perfectly with our mission at HX.

- The partnership makes it possible for us to tell Greenland's culinary history 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 delighted that the guests at HX' cruise ships also next year will be served Greenlandic food on a high level.

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

Gets international publicity

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

In August brought the renowned travel magazine Travel+Leisure a six-page article about Inunnguaq Hegelund and the collaboration with HX. The magazine, which is read by millions worldwide, pointed out the project as an example of how locally rooted food can become one attraction in itself – and at the same time create awareness of Greenland as new gastronomic destination.

Can strengthen the food industry

For Inunnguaq Hegelund success is not only about the culinary experiences, cruise guests have received. 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 already see that more local players are interested in supplying to cruise ships and others bigger customers, he says.

At the same time, the partnership with HX has brought Inunnguaq Hegelund and his team around it all arctic area. Right from Greenland to Iceland and Svalbard - and to Denmark.

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