05/23/2026
Today on our episode 438, ’s guest is Matt Orlando (), chef & owner of ESSE () in Copenhagen, Denmark, his latest restaurant focusing on Regenerative Organic practices in farming as its starting point. Shari was thrilled to be on location at earlier this year to chat with Matt about his career & new restaurant, & get to experience dining there as well. (4:28) ✨
A California native, Matt worked at some of the world’s most decorated kitchens, including Aureole & Per Se in NYC, & Noma in Copenhagen, where he was the restaurant’s first chef de cuisine before opening his sustainably-focused, fine dining restaurant, Amass, in Copenhagen in 2013 along with wife Julie. ✨
After an impressive 10-year run, Amass closed in 2022; & that same year, Matt embarked on a new project, opening AIR (Awareness, Impact, Responsibility) in Singapore, where he applied his conscious cooking to a tropical palate of ingredients. He returned to CPH to open his dream restaurant, ESSE, which name means “to be” or “to exist” or “to self-reflect,” expressing the circular cuisine that has been at the core ethos that he has been championing throughout his career. ✨
Matt is also the co-founder of , focusing on food system sustainability and its alternative chocolate, THIC. In addition, he is a contributor to Shari’s book, , & a past guest on our episode 213 (April 2019). ✨
Many thanks to Matt for the wonderful conversation & hospitality at ESSE. Shari can’t wait to return! ✨
Today’s show also features Shari’s PR tip to self-reflect; & experience at Kadeau (), head chef & co-owner Nicolai Nørregaard’s (’s) New Nordic tasting menu restaurant in CPH rooted in Bornholm, which has 2 stars & one green star, & is currently no. 41 on 2025. Shari loved returning to Kadeau & grateful for the warm welcome back. (48:04) ✨
Tune in wherever you get your podcasts, including . *linkinbio* 🎧✨
Thanks for being a part of ✨
Support for this episode comes from . Learn more at biltdining.com/shari