NEWMORROW SESSIONS - A PodCast Series on the Future of Hospitality

“I have always been in doubt about everything” - Claus Meyer, serial culinary entrepreneur, co-founder of NOMA

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Feb 26, 2025

Claus Meyer, a celebrated Danish restaurateur and co-founder of Noma, dives into the interplay between culinary art and social responsibility. He shares insights on how love is linked to deliciousness and the role of everyday happiness in motivation. Meyer discusses his efforts through The Melting Pot Foundation to use food as a tool for social change, addressing issues like poverty. He reflects on transforming despair into gratitude, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the importance of purpose, emphasizing the healing power of communal dining.

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ANECDOTE

French Inspiration

Claus Meyer's passion for food was ignited during a year in France, living with a culinary craftsman.
This experience contrasted with his upbringing, where food was "shitty," creating a calling to share deliciousness.

INSIGHT

Beyond Noma

Meyer's goal wasn't just high dining, but everyday happiness and togetherness through cooking.
Noma was a tool to promote celebrating nature and local ingredients.

INSIGHT

Manifesto Strategy

The New Nordic Food Manifesto was strategically framed to be inclusive and achievable.
Combining deliciousness with social responsibility appealed to various stakeholders.

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From Doubt to Drive - Entrepreneurs Only.

This episode’s guest is literally a person who mastered the concept of “from doubt to drive” through his career and life: We are happy to have Claus Meyer, serial culinary entrepreneur and co-founder of NOMA, on our show.

Claus Meyer is a prominent Danish restaurateur, chef, and culinary entrepreneur who has played a significant role in shaping contemporary Nordic cuisine. He is perhaps best known as one of the co-founders of Noma, together with Rene Redzepi, the world-renowned Copenhagen restaurant that has been awarded multiple Michelin stars and has been named the world's best restaurant five times.

He developed an early interest in food and gastronomy but initially pursued academic studies in economics and business administration. He earned a Master’s degree in International Business from Copenhagen Business School. Claus is passionate about using food as a tool for social change. In 2011, he launched The Melting Pot Foundation, https://www.meltingpotfonden.org which focuses on food education and social entrepreneurship. Projects include establishing culinary schools and programs to combat poverty and unemployment.

His entrepreneurial ventures continue to blend gastronomy with social responsibility.

https://www.clausmeyerko.com https://meyers.dk

The main learnings from this conversation are:

There is a correlation between love and deliciousness
Everday happiness is motivating
When life becomes detached from cooking you lose meaning, purpose and togetherness
If you lose, take the chance. There’s always hope
You must accept that you can’t win all battles
When in darkness find the small bright things

Tune in and listen to Claus when he shares very honestly and openly where he hit roadblocks during his career and what kind of person he became by overcoming his struggles and doubts. It’s worth listening!

Hit the subscribe button and hear more stories from successful entrepreneurs worldwide in hospitality, food & drinks, and related industries, as they share their inspiring journey FROM DOUBT TO DRIVE. Uncover their tools and tactics, shifts in mindset, and breakthrough moments - how they knew they were stuck and how they got out. Join our community & learn how you can move from DOUBT TO DRIVE.

© From Doubt to Drive Podcast, owned and operated by Newmorrow Recorded on December 2, 2024 via Zoom in Copenhagen, Denmark (Claus Meyer) – Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Mario C. Bauer) – Hamburg, Germany (Florian Schneider)