Meals on wheels: On the road with Copenhagen’s ‘Cycling Chef’

Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. gastronomic / ˌɡæs trəˈnɑː mɪk / (adj.) – relating to the art and practice of preparing and enjoying good food
    Example:

    His new restaurant offers a gastronomic experience that combines old and new styles of cooking.


  2. turf out / tɜrf aʊt / (phrasal v.) – to force someone to leave a place
    Example:

    A group of students was turfed out of the library for being noisy.


  3. adapted / əˈdæp t̬ɪd / (adj.) – relating to something changed from its original form so it can be used for a new purpose
    Example:

    He created an adapted car that runs on vegetable oil.


  4. cutlery / ˈkʌt lə ri / (n.) – knives, forks, and spoons that people use for eating food
    Example:

    The restaurant staff place clean plates and cutlery on the table before guests arrive.


  5. poncho / ˈpɒn tʃoʊ / (n.) – a clothing made from one large piece of material, such as cloth or plastic, with a hole in the middle for the head to go through
    Example:

    Rain ponchos are provided at the amusement park to keep visitors dry during water rides.


Article

Read the text below.

For more than 20 years, a self-proclaimed “Cycling Chef” has been giving two-wheeled gastronomic tours of the Danish capital, Copenhagen. He even cooks on the go, leading guests on a foodie adventure with his kitchen-bike.


Pedaling through the streets of Copenhagen on his custom-built bicycle-turned-portable kitchen, chef Morten Kryger Wulff flips prawns in a frying pan while leading guests on a culinary tour with a twist.


In a city famous for fine dining—including Michelin-starred restaurants Noma, Geranium and Alchemist—Kryger Wulff’s five-course tour may be the most unique dining experience of all. “We have, over the last 20 years, been working on this concept, bringing people on gastronomic rides, cooking for them along the way. And that is what it’s all about,” smiles Kryger Wulff.


The Danish chef, who’s worked in prestigious kitchens, including London’s Savoy, first became the “Cycling Chef” back in 2002, cooking outdoors at private events, such as garden parties, corporate functions and picnics.


The idea was born when he and his friends were turfed out of a Copenhagen royal park by a park officer for illegally barbecuing. With no other option, they placed the cast-iron grill onto his old vintage cargo bike and kept cooking. “Right there, while I was biking, and my friend was running alongside turning the steaks, we were looking at each other. You need that, you need a bicycle kitchen,” he recalls.


Kryger Wulff now gives several “Gastronomic Rides” each year, pedaling through city streets and parks, then stopping at hidden spots to prepare and share food. That wouldn’t be possible without his custom-built portable kitchen: an adapted cargo bike fitted with a stove, foldable work surface, fridges, cupboards, plus space for glasses, cutlery and more.


Each tour includes five courses consumed at five different city stops. The experience lasts about four and a half hours, with guests cycling between three and five kilometers. It costs 1,695 Danish kroner (approximately $265) per person. Guests bring their own bikes or rent one if needed. Rain ponchos are even provided, though not always required.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • The Cycling Chef’s five-course food and biking tour costs about $265 per person. Would you pay this much for a unique food and biking experience? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • If you could design a unique tour experience in your own city, what would it involve, and how much would you charge per person? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • The idea for the Cycling Chef started when he and his friends were turfed out of a Copenhagen royal park for illegally barbecuing. Why do you think some countries or cities restrict barbecuing in public parks? Discuss.
  • Do you know if public parks in your country restrict barbecuing or cooking? What kinds of rules do public parks have in your country? Discuss.