Noma, one of the world’s best restaurants, has in January 2015 moved for five weeks to Tokyo, in January 2016 they moved for three months to Australia, for 2017 instead they are looking forward to exploring Mexico. The main motivation for these trips was always before anything else inspiration for the entire team. Getting to know new environments and cultures opens new views and provokes development of new ideas. More about their previous experiences here.
Why Mexico? Rene Redzepi explains:
“2017 is going to mark a very special year for noma. We will be moving to our new location, which is all in the works, the last drawings are being finished up; planning is well underway. But before that happens, we are going to do one more residency, and this location is a very special one to me – Mexico.
I consider it to be my adopted home, one filled with almost a decade of cherished memories from vacations with my family. The place that I dream about. Home to one of the most exciting cuisines I have ever tasted: as old as time and yet so relevant. Full of ingredients I never knew existed. This cooking inspires the team and I constantly here in Copenhagen. It is safe to say that there is already a touch of influence from Mexico in the food at noma.
An addition to our residency this time will be our dear friend and former sous chef at noma, Rosio Sanchez together with her taqueria Hija de Sanchez. The creativity of the menu will be a joint endeavor. As one of the most talented chefs we know, and with Mexican roots herself, she will be a great guide for us as we delve into this culture and learn from it.
For the last 6 months, Rosio, a small team and I have been traveling all throughout the country from Merida to Ensenada, from Oaxaca to Guadalajara, and everywhere in between. We searched to find that special chile, to understand the seafood, to taste just a few of the infinite variations of mole, and to find inspiration in the vast and wonderful culture. We encountered some of the most kind and hospitable people to be found anywhere in the world. These were once in a lifetime experiences, which we will transform into a series of dishes and ultimately our menu at our restaurant in Mexico.
The outdoor open-air restaurant will sit nestled between the jungle and the Caribbean Sea in Tulum. Exposed to the climate, it will be hot, steaming and unpredictable. Billowing smoke and the orange glow of flames will define us as all cooking will take place over the fire. It will be wild like the Mexican landscape as we share our interpretation of the tastes from one of the most beautiful countries we’ve come to know.”
The restaurant will be open for dinner five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday from 12 April to 28 May, 2017. The menu will cost $US600 per person plus tax (16%) and service (9%) and will include the menu, beverage pairing, water and tea/coffee.
Bookings for Noma Mexico will open on Tuesday, 6 December 2016 at 10am (EST) and will be available via noma’s website at noma.dk/mexico.
