Top chefs and the finest Nordic seafood and agricultural products will gather in Reykjavík, Iceland, for the 16th annual Food & Fun Festival, taking place March 1–5. What started in 2002 as a way to boost winter tourism has developed into an internationally recognized invitational competition that pairs one Icelandic chef with one guest chef from Europe or the United States.
The festival’s goal is to craft affordable gourmet menus throughout a week of culinary contests. Guest chefs are required to work exclusively with Icelandic ingredients, all sourced with sustainability in mind. The Icelandic proverb “glöggt er gests augað” (the guest’s eye sees clearly) guides the event’s spirit and approach. A panel of celebrity chefs serves as judges, and three finalist teams compete for the title of Food & Fun Chef of the Year. Icelandair is a founding partner of the festival.