Demo & Dine: A Taste of Iceland’s Gastronomic Bounty 

Learn to cook a flavorful wild Icelandic cod starter, an exquisite Icelandic lamb main course, and a delightful dessert featuring Icelandic Provisions skyr. Afterward, you’ll sit down with the chefs to savor the delicious meal you’ve created together.

The venue and the chefs

About Hot Stove Society

Hot Stove Society offers a diverse range of cooking classes, from light-hearted and social experiences to skill-building and challenging sessions. Whether you’re interested in learning how to pleat homemade dumplings, make pasta from scratch, craft the perfect cocktail, or prepare an entire gourmet spread, we have the class for you. Whether you’re looking for a fun, boozy activity after work or aiming to “cook like a pro,” you’ll find the perfect culinary adventure here.

Hot Stove Society

Haflidi Halldorsson

CMC & CEO of Icelandic Lamb

A Certified Master chef, Chef Haflidi juggles promoting Icelandic cuisine, food culture, and marketing in his role as CEO of Icelandic Lamb. He believes developing and telling the story of Icelandic food culture is of the utmost importance to using the pure and humble ingredients Iceland provides.

Culinary competitions and judging are a passion of Chef Haflidi, a former Team Manager of the Icelandic Culinary Team and one of its current mentors. Other roles include serving as a board member of the Icelandic and Nordic Chefs Associations. Training competitors, judging international culinary competitions and speaking publicly about food and cuisine.

Haflidi grew up on a sheep and dairy farm in the Westfjords of Iceland and had hands-on experience fishing in the rough seas of the North Atlantic. As a result, Chef Haflidi has first-hand insight into the sourcing, quality, and traceability of Icelandic produce.

Icelandic Lamb

Ísak Aron Jóhannsson

Captain of the Icelandic Culinary Team

Ísak Aron, the captain of Iceland's national culinary team, grew up in the small fishing town of Suðureyri in the Westfjords, where he developed a deep appreciation for the finest ingredients harvested from the land and sea. Beginning his culinary journey at just 15 at Hotel Natura in Reykjavík, he later honed his craft in Michelin-starred restaurants in Southern France and London.

Since joining the Icelandic culinary team in 2020, Ísak has led them to remarkable achievements, including a 3rd place finish at the Culinary Olympics and gold medals at the 2022 World Cup. In 2023, he won Dessert of the Year, and in 2024, he secured silver in the Best Chef in Iceland competition.

Today, Ísak runs Zak Catering, offering high-end culinary experiences that showcase Icelandic food culture. He focuses on crafting memorable moments through laughter, amazement, and sensational flavors.

Photo of the 2024 Icelandic Culinary Team featuring Snaedis Xyza Mae Ocampo (center).

Iceland Secures Bronze at 26th IKA/Culinary Olympics

The Icelandic National Culinary Team clinched third place at the 26th IKA/Culinary Olympics in Stuttgart, Germany. This four-day event featured over 1,200 chefs from 55 countries and presented over 7,000 menus, demonstrating global culinary talent. The competition included two main events: a Chef’s Table with an 11-course menu and a three-course meal for 110 guests.

Finland won gold for its precise and artistic culinary skills, while Switzerland took silver. Iceland's performance, particularly its lamb dish featuring lamb filet, potato filled with lamb shoulder, paté choux with fried mushrooms and cheese foam, whey-glazed carrot, and a ragout of chanterelles, showcased exceptional creativity and skill.

Thanks to its diverse and comprehensive nature, the IKA/Culinary Olympics is known as the most significant platform for culinary professionals to display their talents and set new trends. This edition was marked by a captivating atmosphere and outstanding culinary artistry from all participants.

Iceland Culinary Team