On June 19–20, 2026, the island of Bornholm once again takes center stage as Sol over Gudhjem returns—bringing together leading chefs, refined flavours and a distinctly Nordic summer atmosphere.
At the heart of the festival is its prestigious chef competition, where four of Denmark’s most promising culinary talents compete: Allan Schultz (owner and head chef, Parsley Salon), Julian Elkjær (butter pastry specialist), Magnus Pettersson (owner, Selma Restaurant) and Jeppe Foldager (gastronomic director, Hotel Hesselet).
Each chef presents a starter and a main course under time pressure. While the starter is created from a mystery box revealed on the day, the main course reflects two months of preparation—highlighting precision, creativity and a deep understanding of seasonal ingredients.
The dishes are evaluated by an expert panel including Rasmus Munk (owner and head chef, Alchemist), Kenneth Toft-Hansen (owner and head chef, Svinkløv Badehotel), Nicolai Nørgaard (owner and head chef, Kadeau Bornholm & Copenhagen) and Anika Madsen (chef, Alchemist)—ensuring a rigorous and highly professional standard.
More than a contest, Sol over Gudhjem offers a vibrant programme of food market experiences, dessert competitions and curated pop-up dining. New for 2026 is “Leg med Maden”, an interactive area for children and families, designed to explore ingredients, flavours and cooking through hands-on experiences.
Three pop-up restaurant concepts—from refined evening dining to relaxed lunch formats—complement the festival, alongside a large food market showcasing Danish specialities. A free harbour concert on Friday evening adds to the laid-back seaside ambiance.
Bringing together the very best of Danish gastronomy in a setting that is both professional and welcoming, Sol over Gudhjem continues to foster creativity, curiosity and a deeper connection to ingredients and flavour—now also engaging a new generation through its expanded family-focused initiatives.
