Scan Magazine | Special Theme | ‘Julebord’ Buffets: Christmas Dinner the Norwegian Way
Geiteberg’s caterer can cook up everything from Spanish tapas to Norwegian Christmas food.
Elegant parties at the barn In 2006, when their vintage harvester gave in, husband and wife Guri Bergan Holt and Kjetil Haugbro decided to use their experience in arts and culture management to turn the farm into an events space. Geiteberg Kulturbruk made its debut hosting two performances of Knut Hamsun’s play Markens Grøde, and since the first play in 2007 the cultural activities at Geiteberg have gained momentum. By Andrea Bærland | Photos: Geiteberg Kulturbruk
Today the farm even hosts an annual international folk music festival, the only one of its kind in south-eastern Norway. Back in its heyday in the early 1900s, Geiteberg used to be the venue for the village’s weekly dances, and when theatre-goers pointed out how charming the barn was, Holt and Haugbro decided to rent it out as a party venue once again. Since then the barn has become a popular venue for everything from weddings
to corporate events, particularly during the Christmas party season. “I think we appeal to many companies because of our exclusivity. The barn only fits 60 to 70 people, so they don’t share the venue with anyone else, and they’re free to create their own programme,” says Haugbro. The arts manager at Geiteberg Kulturbruk can help customers book performers ranging from local musicians to entertainers of national calibre, such as Ingrid Bjørnov. There is also the possibility to make arrangements for a dancefloor. In addition to entertainment, food is one of the most important aspects of a great party, and at Geiteberg it is brought in from Kreativ Catering in the capital. “When we started out we wanted to hire the best ca-
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terer we could find, and we found it in Oslo,” Haugbro explains. Based on the ingredients of the season, Kreativ Catering serves elegant yet simple dishes, whether the menu consists of tapas or of traditional Norwegian Christmas foods. The beer served is from the local microbrewery, MikroMeyer in Spydeberg. “We have kept much of the old barn aesthetics and added more modern design, because we want our guests to get the authentic farm feeling but still feel a little bit pampered,” says Haugbro. Even though Geiteberg Kulturbruk is located a 40-minute drive outside Oslo, the venue promises to get you home safely, as Haugbro explains: “It shouldn’t be any more difficult to get home from us than from any of the clubs in the city, and we take pride in taking good care of our guests all the way to the end.” Geiteberg was the place to dance a hundred years ago, and in 2015 it still is. Sometimes the best parties really can be found outside the borders of the city. For more information, please visit: www.geiteberg.no