The new head chef at Treetop Restaurant in Vejle has been found. 34-year-old Bjarke Jeppesen will take the lead at the ambitious restaurant starting February 1st.
The new head chef is no ordinary hire for the restaurant with one of the country’s most beautiful views over Vejle Fjord. Bjarke Jeppesen, who is a permanent member of the Danish national cooking team, has experience managing a Michelin kitchen, won several awards for his food, and is joining directly from the acclaimed restaurant Resumé in Svendborg. A talent that Munkebjerg Hotel’s director, Rene Aaby Sørensen, is extremely proud to attract:
“It has been incredibly important to find the right chef, someone who could not only maintain the high level of food quality and service we have had over the last 10 years, but also elevate it. It was crucial that Bjarke has solid experience from several high-quality and prestigious restaurants and kitchens. I’m convinced that Bjarke is the right choice, and with his arrival, we gain an experienced and highly skilled chef,” says Sørensen.
Bjarke Jeppesen has previously been head chef at Restaurant Domestic in Aarhus, where he took over and defended the restaurant’s Michelin star. He has been nominated for Chef of the Year twice and comes to Vejle from his role as head chef at Resumé in Svendborg, where he started in late summer 2022. However, the opportunity to work at Treetop was too exciting to turn down:
“I’m incredibly happy and proud to have gotten the job as head chef at Treetop. First, I’ll say goodbye to Svendborg, where I’ve really enjoyed being at Resumé, but then I’ll get to know Munkebjerg properly. I can’t wait to start cooking. There are so many possibilities for Treetop. The premises and location are truly unique, and I have no doubt that, together with my team, we can create the best environment around the food for the guests,” he says.
With Bjarke Jeppesen comes a passion for using Danish, and especially local, ingredients, and here the opportunities at Treetop are many:
“What I’ve always focused on throughout my career is the ingredients—the Danish and the local. Our country is a completely unique pantry, and I will bring that with me to Vejle, focusing fully on creating menus based on what’s in season,” he says.
The hiring of Bjarke Jeppesen is a direct result of Treetop’s head chef of five years, Nicolaj Møller, choosing to step down in November:
“Nicolaj had been with us for six years. Five of those as head chef. It’s completely natural that he wants to try new things. We have been very happy with Nicolaj and wish him all the best for the future,” says director Rene Aaby Sørensen.
Bjarke Jeppesen officially starts on February 1, 2023.
For interviews or further contact:
Anders Aistrup
Press Officer, Treetop Restaurant
anders@istrup.dk
+45 2011 1665
Book your table at www.tree-top.dk/en, and follow on Instagram @treetop_restauranten
About Bjarke Jeppesen:
- 34 years old
- Nominated for Chef of the Year twice
- Winner of the Kartoffelprisen 2022 and 2019
- Winner of the Dish of the Year with Pork 2022
- Co-owner of the chocolate company Gastroca.dk and a permanent member of the national cooking team
Previous positions:
- Resumé, Head Chef
- Restaurant Domestic, Head Chef
- Hotel Hesselet, Sous Chef and Assistant Head Chef
