Der brænder en særlig ild i Årsdale – og den svøber sig ikke kun over skorstenen, røgeriet, sildene, laks og makrel, den brænder også for det lokale, de lokale.

For us here, it's about turning the tourist season into an all-year season. About turning the periphery into the forefront. About utilizing the best in people. The experienced gold, with special skills – which is too good to go. But also the young gold, with untested possibilities – which is too good to waste.

When you bring them together around a mission, a business – or as it's called in good Danish: 'a task,' something happens. Activity is driven by necessities, inspiration, and community.

When we work together, we eat better together, live better together – and inspire others. We need to light up and stir everything – and not just in the old smokehouses and pots that stand in the kitchen.

Because there is a need to really ignite new thoughts – as the sea suffers, the fjords are dying, streets and shops stand empty in our cities while we become more numerous and increasingly lonely. This needs to change. It must become a new inspiring attraction – and the scent from the smokehouse should be smelled all over Denmark.

This is my philosophy. I am a smoke master and cook without a portfolio, and I am already well underway.

Claus Jørgensen