Photo: Pål Allan

Toast Skagen is an elegant combination of shrimp and other ingredients on a small piece of sautéd bread. It was created by the popular Swedish restaurateur Tore Wretman. More than anyone else, he embraced Swedish culinary traditions during the decades immediately after World War II. At a time when home cooking was starting to fade away and be replaced by foreign fast food, he also elevated classic Swedish dishes into fancy restaurant repertoire, lending them new status. 

Named for a fishing port at the northern tip of Denmark, in Sweden toast Skagen is an appetizer that means “party.” People who really want to celebrate something are extravagantly generous with the whitefish roe. The sprig of dill on the top serves as a fanfare. 

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Innkeeper Emeritus Carl Jan Granqvist selected the dishes. Journalist and author Lena Katarina Swanberg wrote the texts.

The authors alone are responsible for the opinions expressed on this web page.

Translation: Victor Kayfetz

© Photos: Pål Allan

Copyright 2005: This text is published by the Swedish Institute on www.sweden.se. It may not be reused without prior consent. To obtain permission to use the text, please submit this form. Photos or illustrations may not be used in other contexts. More information on the copyright here.