Meyer’s New York restaurant Agern (Danish for ‘acorn’) was awarded one star in the prestigious food guide, several US media outlets reported on Tuesday. 

 

Meyer is a co-founder of Copenhagen restaurant Noma, which has repeatedly claimed the title as the world’s best restaurant. Although Meyer sold his share in Noma, he remains one of Denmark’s best-known chefs and is viewed as an architect of the New Nordic Cuisine movement, which highlights the use of natural and local produce. 

 

The Danish chef opened Agern as part of his 1,200 square metre Great Northern Food Hall in Manhattan’s famed Grand Central Station earlier this year, bringing Danish staples like smørrebrød, designer hot dogs and to New Yorkers. Agern uses local ingredients from New York State to put an American twist on New Nordic Cuisine. The restaurant's head chef is Iceland native Gunnar Gíslason.

 

Meyer wrote on Facebook that the Michelin recognition was “a big day” for his New York team. 

 

“After earlier this year, amongst other praise, having received the desired three stars in New York Times, the Michelin guide yesterday gave Agern one star just six months after the restaurant’s opening,” a statement read. 

 

Meyer said he is working on several other New York projects, including a cooking school for poor youths in Brownsville, supporting other Scandinavian chefs who want to try their luck in the Big Apple, and a restaurant that will open in Williamsburg later this year. 

 

The Danish ambassador to the United States, Lars Gert Lose, was among those who expressed their congratulations on the new recognition.