Just a year after opening, 'Restaurant domæne' is honored with a prestigious Michelin star at this year's awards for the Nordic countries, which were held Monday evening in Turku, Finland.
Since 'Restaurant domæne' first opened its doors a year ago, no one has doubted the seriousness, the sky-high ambitions, and the extraordinarily high standard. Everyone, without exception, has expressed great enthusiasm after visiting the dome-shaped building surrounded by grass and trees in Gødstrup. Now, the people behind 'Restaurant domæne' have received the ultimate recognition for their craftsmanship.
Restaurant domæne is run by head chef Jens Vincent and restaurant manager Joakim Thomassen, both of whom have roots in the top gastronomic world. From the start, their ambition with their 'domæne' has been to give guests an extraordinary overall experience with a focus on taste and quality. As far as possible, local ingredients and producers, but always with the freedom to experiment and refine.
Behind domæne stands the company Witt, which has provided the land, building, and finances to get the restaurant on its feet – with the desire to put Central Jutland on the gastronomic map. The duo, Jens Vincent and Joakim Thomassen, have previously stated that they would not be guided by a star in the Michelin guide. But conversely, they could not deny that it is a recognition they might strive for over time. Here it came. Only one year after opening. Quite an achievement.
Head Chef Jens Vincent
“This is completely insane! We opened this restaurant just over a year ago, and I didn't dare hope for this. There are so many things we have achieved in such a short time. We have created a restaurant that reviewers and guides have recognized on par with some of the best in the country. We have filled our restaurant with local guests from Central Jutland and foodies from all over the country – and most importantly, our guests are happy when they leave the restaurant.
A Michelin star has never been the ultimate goal with this restaurant – but I simply cannot underestimate how big a boyhood dream this is. I am over the moon! I am so immensely proud of everyone who has been a part of this project so far. A big THANK YOU to our talented staff, who are always there and always do their best. My biggest personal thanks go to Joakim, who has been the perfect partner in this adventure from the start!”
Restaurant Manager Joakim Thomassen
“Ever since we opened just over a year ago, I have had no doubt that Jens' food is of a caliber that deserves to be compared with the best restaurants in the country and thus also an obvious candidate for a star in the Michelin guide. But they manage to maintain so much mystery around their assessments and working methods that you can never really know what it takes. So I am so happy and relieved for Jens, but also on behalf of all our talented employees, who receive a well-deserved pat on the back for their hard work.
I feel enormously privileged to be a part of Restaurant domæne and would like to thank everyone from Witt for supporting us and challenging us all the way. We are only just beginning, and although the star is a milestone that is hard not to stop and dwell on a bit, the journey continues – and hopefully with many more steps ahead of us than in the rearview mirror. I have the best travel partner in Jens, and I look forward to seeing where the road takes us.”
A selection of the many rave reviews during the domain's first year:
- Well-deserved global masterclass on the heath (The White Guide)
- 5 stars (Børsen)
- Restaurant domain near Herning delivers solid gastro delight (Jyllands-Posten)
- Søren Frank gives five stars: Civilization has finally arrived here (Berlingske)
- Restaurant domain puts Central Jutland on the culinary map (Gastromand)
Restaurant domain has regular opening days on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Here the colleagues at Witt realize that Restaurant domæne has received a star
