Denmark's Most Experienced Sushi Chef Zoë Escher

2019: Zoë was the judge for the daily newspaper Politiken in connection with testing food for their readers.
2016: Zoë held the official opening speech and opened the fair Formland Spring in Messecenter Herning in Denmark. At the opening of the fair there were 49 people from the press, 20 VIP and 271 exhibitors.
2015: Zoë has made sushi and Japanese dishes as private dining at home of US ambassador in Denmark Rufus Gifford.
2013: Rated as Denmark’s sushi expert no. 1 by gourmet supermarket chain Irma. Zoë was also guest judget at Masterchef Denmark season 3. Zoë has made sushi and Japanese dishes as staff food to the 3 star Michelin restaurant

Zoë is known from Danish magazines and TV such as Copenhagen Food, ALT for Damerne, Berlingske, Femina, IN, Mad & Bolig, TV3 and the consumer council magazine “THINK”.

Reference: Restaurant Geranium***, A.P. Møller – Mærsk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Ikea, Novartis, Velux, Takeda Pharma, Haldore Topsøe, Dansk Byggeri, Deloitte, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Symphogen and many more.

How much fish is eaten in Japan?

May 22, 2024 by Zoë Escher

Japan is known for its love of seafood, which plays a central role in the country’s culture and Japanese cuisine.

According to statistics, the Japanese consume about 50-60 kg of fish and shellfish per person per year. This is much more compared to the global average of around 20 kg per person per year.
Fish is an essential part of the Japanese diet, and many Japanese dishes, such as sushi, sashimi, tempura, and takoyaki, have fish or shellfish as the main ingredient.

Japan’s extensive coastline and its tradition of fishing have allowed fish to become an integral part of the everyday diet.

Sushi is undoubtedly one of the most iconic Japanese dishes globally, and it is based on fresh seafood. This dish originates from an old preservation method where fish was preserved in fermented rice. Today, sushi is a culinary dish where the quality and freshness of the fish is paramount.

On the Sushi course for beginners, you learn step by step how to make tasty sushi. I also reveal how to cook sushi rice to perfection, every single time.

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

How is sushi stored in the summer heat?

May 15, 2024 by Zoë Escher

Sushi is a fantastic dish that is enjoyed all year round.
Especially the bright summer evenings offer cold white wine/bubbles with delicious food. Sushi is very pleasant to eat in the summer heat. The body is not warmed by eating sushi as sushi is eaten at room temperature.

In the summer heat, it is important to store sushi in the “right” way, as the fish is eaten raw.
When you buy sushi as a take-away, it is a good idea to transport the food in a cooler bag that will extend the shelf life of the food. As soon as you get home you should put sushi in the fridge.

Sushi should be stored in the refrigerator until dinner time. Approx. 15-20 minutes before dinner time, sushi is taken out of the fridge and placed on the kitchen table without the lid.
During the 15-20 minutes, the temperature will slowly until each sushi piece have reached room temperature. Then they are ready to be eaten. Sushi should always be eaten at sushi room temperature, so you get the full taste experience of the individual pieces.

Read more about Sushi course for beginners

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

How many different kinds of salmon are there in Scandinavia?

May 8, 2024 by Zoë Escher

In Scandinavia there are several different kinds of salmon.

We are so lucky to be surrounded by countries that have the best salmon in the world. Fantastic tasty salmon that comes to Denmark several times a week.

Norway is one of the countries that farms salmon on land. It is salmon of really good quality the Norwegians have mastered some of the challenges involved in farming salmon on land.

Most people have heard of salmon from Faroe Islands. The Faroese farm the best salmon in the world. All salmon from the Faroe Islands are farmed in the sea it gives salmon of a completely different quality.

Iceland also farms salmon. Not many people know about this. Icelanders have created an environment that is identical to Icelandic nature. You can buy farmed Icelandic salmon that has the same quality as those that live in the wild. Salmon from Iceland do not come to Denmark that often. At present it must be ordered.

Read more about Sushi course for beginners

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Can sushi rice be used the next day?

May 1, 2024 by Zoë Escher

There are many people who store cooked rice for the next day. It’s a really bad idea to save sushi rice for the next day.

Sushi differs from other rice dishes such as the dish meatballs and Curry.
Sushi is not a dish that is cooked on a pan or in the oven and, this means that the quality of the ingredients used for sushi should be as good as possible.
If sushi rice is more than 1 day old or that vegetables have become a bit slack, then it can be tasted when used for sushi. You will make sushi of a poorer quality.

What happens to sushi rice when stored for the next day is that they become drier and looser in consistency while the rice kernel itself becomes harder.
Besides the fact that it is harder to make sushi with day-old sushi rice, it can also be tasted if the sushi rice is not freshly made.
This is not necessarily the case with day-old rice which is used for Meatball and Curry, as it is the sauce that hides the rice and its taste.

Read more about Sushi course for beginners

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Which Japanese dish is best for a busy day?

April 24, 2024 by Zoë Escher

When everyday life becomes hectic, it can be a challenge to find time to cook food that is both tasty and quick to prepare. Fortunately, Japanese cuisine offers a number of delicious options that are perfect for busy days.

One of my personal favorites is Japanese noodle soups is ramen soup. This hot and tasty noodle soup does not take very long once the tasty stock is made from scratch.

A fund that directs your thoughts to Asia and sends your taste buds to Japan for an evening. With vegetables, meat and proteins from the plant kingdom, this noodle soup is filling while being adapted to your taste buds.

On the Noodle soup course for beginners, you learn step by step how to make different Japanese soups, as they are served in restaurants in Tokyo.

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Zoë has held sushi courses and cooking classes for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

How to celebrate Okinawa cherry blossoms?

April 22, 2024 by Zoë Escher

The celebration of Okinawa’s cherry blossoms is a contribute to the beauty of nature and a tradition on the beautiful Japanese islands. Every year, as spring approaches, the cherry blossoms burst into a sea of pink and white flowers, and people gather to celebrate this special event.

One of the most popular ways to celebrate Okinawa’s cherry blossoms is through traditional hanami picnics. Hanami, which means ‘seeing the flowers’, and it takes place in the way that friends, family and colleagues gather under blooming cherry trees. People bring food, drink and blankets and settle under the trees.

Beside that special events and festivals are often organized in connection with the cherry blossom season from concerts and performances to art exhibitions and traditional craft activities.

It is also common for people to go on nature walks to admire the cherry blossoms along paths, in parks and in mountain areas.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, the Okinawa cherry blossoms are a time to appreciate the beauty of nature, gather with those we care about through conviviality and delicious food.

On the Sushi course for beginners, you learn to make tasty food that is also suitable for picnics.

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Zoë has held sushi courses and cooking classes for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Get ready for spring with the only noodle soup course

April 19, 2024 by Zoë Escher

With spring on the horizon, it’s time to embrace light, tasty dishes that evoke the feeling of sunshine. And what could be more perfect than a steaming bowl of Japanese noodle soup?

Whether you are an experienced cook or a newbie in the kitchen, there is something for everyone to learn at the last Japanese noodle soup course of the spring.

The popular Japanese noodle soups are a treasure trove of flavors that you can only find in restaurants in Tokyo. On the course, you will learn about different types of noodles, stock, vegetables, meat and spices that can transform a simple bowl of soup into a tasty experience.

On the course, you will be led by Denmark’s most experienced Japanese trained chef, who will share her secrets for creating the perfect Japanese noodle soup every time.

From preparing stock from scratch to mastering techniques for preparing various tasty ingredients, you will leave the course with a deeper understanding of noodle soup and what makes it Japan’s most sought-after dish.

Read more about the Japanese noodle soup course for beginners

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Zoë has held sushi courses and cooking classes for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Enjoy the beautiful Japanese cherry trees with homemade sushi

April 17, 2024 by Zoë Escher

Spring is here and with it comes the breathtaking beauty of Japanese cherry blossoms in full bloom. This is not only a time to admire the beautiful trees, but also a perfect opportunity to enjoy a delicious bite of Japanese culture – homemade sushi.
Imagine sitting under blooming cherry trees and enjoying the taste of freshly made sushi with friends and family. Sounds like a dream, right?

But before you dive into making your own sushi, it might be a good idea to take a sushi course. Learning how to make sushi properly takes time, patience and some important techniques that can be difficult to master on your own. A sushi course is a great way to get hands-on experience and guidance from Denmark’s most experienced sushi chef, who will teach you the right techniques to create perfect rolls every time.*

During a sushi course, you not only learn how to make sushi rice and cut fish correctly, but also how to roll and shape sushi with elegance and precision.

Imagine inviting your friends over for sushi with cherry blossoms in full bloom as the perfect backdrop. It is an experience that will be remembered for a long time to come.

Read more about Sushi course for beginners

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Zoë has held sushi courses and cooking classes for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Get ready for spring with the last noodle soup course

April 12, 2024 by Zoë Escher

With spring and summer on the horizon, it’s time to embrace light, tasty dishes that evoke the feeling of sunshine and warm breezes. And what could be more perfect than a steaming bowl of Japanese noodle soup?

Whether you are an experienced cook or a newbie in the kitchen, there is something for everyone to learn at the last Japanese noodle soup course of the spring.

The popular Japanese noodle soups are a treasure trove of flavors that you can only find in restaurants in Tokyo. On the course, you will learn about different types of noodles, stock and spices that can transform a simple bowl of soup into a tasty experience.

On the course, you will be led by Denmark’s most experienced Japanese trained chef, who will share their secrets for creating the perfect noodle soup every time.
From preparing stock from scratch to mastering techniques for preparing various tasty ingredients, you will leave the course with a deeper understanding of noodle soup and what makes it Japan’s most sought-after dish.

Read more about the Japanese noodle soup course for beginners

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Zoë has held sushi courses and cooking classes for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

Welcome spring with homemade sushi

April 9, 2024 by Zoë Escher

Spring is coming, and what better way to welcome the new season than with fresh and tasty homemade sushi?

Sushi is as popular as ever, and it is not hard to understand why. The delicate combination of raw fish, rice and seaweed creates a taste experience that tantalizes the palate and brings luxury into everyday life.

For those who want to make sushi at home, a sushi course for beginners is a great idea.
The course offers not only a hands-on experience, but also an in-depth understanding of the secrets behind sushi. The sushi course is adapted to both beginners and those with more experience, so that everyone can participate and learn how to make the perfect rolls.

Taking a beginner sushi course not only gives you the skills to make delicious sushi, but it is also a fun and social activity. It is an obvious opportunity to gather friends or family and enjoy an evening of learning, laughter and, not least, good food.

So why not welcome spring with open arms and a plate full of delicious sushi?

It is not just a dining experience; it is a way to celebrate the new season while indulging your taste buds with delicate ingredients and unique flavor combinations.

Read more about Sushi course for beginners

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Zoë has held sushi courses and cooking classes for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.