Mads Refslund

From Noma to Greenpoint: Mads Refslund’s Next Chapter at ILIS

Linda Iliste, 26.02.2026

As a James Beard semi-finalist and with a steadier footing in Greenpoint, ILIS is entering a new chapter. In this interview, owner and executive chef Mads Refslund reflects on the restaurant’s learning curve, the discipline behind its menus, and the operational choices shaping daily service—from “One House” hospitality to sourcing.

Advertisement

Even if you don’t know the name Mads Refslund, his impact on modern dining is unmistakable. As the co-founder of Copenhagen’s Noma, his approach to cooking helped change how kitchens around the world work with local ingredients and seasonality. After leaving Noma, Refslund carried the same guiding idea forward: cooking from the landscape you’re actually in, and making that sense of place tangible beyond the plate.

Read more

Advertisement