Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Nordic Culinary Delights
Business dinners and basement baptisms Today, Søgaard runs both Blød Hat and Kœlderen 13. “I have passion for both places. Regarding the cellar, I put a lot of energy into making sure that guests get a fine-tuned experience, whether in regards to décor, food or music. Basically anything that the guests want, we can provide. I also really like the diversity of the people that you meet.” The venue has hosted all kinds of events, from business dinners and meetings to birthdays. Søgaard anecdotally recalls a time when they hosted a baptism-turned-party that went on way into the wee hours because the guests were having so much fun.
Learning by doing So far, both Kœlderen 13 and Blød Hat have been met with rave reviews. The restaurant in particular is a warm, welcoming oasis amongst the harsh tourist tactics of the eateries in Copenhagen’s centre. But contrary to what the success of Søgaard’s current ventures might suggest, the restaurant business was something he just fell into. “When I was little, I used to write lists of things I wanted to do in life,” he recounts. “Owning a restaurant wasn’t really on the list, but I think you learn what you want to do along the way.” Despite being at the start of his career, Søgaard seems genuinely aware of the values that are important to him. “What I do care about is good food and a good atmosphere. I’m motivated because I’m part of something that I enjoy; I get to be in an environment where people are actually happy and having fun,” he says. Søgaard also refers to the staff as more of a family, where everyone has each other’s back. Many of them enjoy hanging out at the restaurant in their free time. “It’s important to me that my staff are happy,” he says. When asked about future plans, the answer is similarly sharp: “My focus at the moment is to run my two businesses to perfection before considering moving towards an expansion.”
For more information and bookings, please visit: www.blødhat.com www.kælderen13.dk
Issue 83 | December 2015 | 29