The Vikings are coming to Bridgnorth as family open town's only Danish restaurant
A Danish-born Shropshire resident is hoping to bring a taste of his native Scandinavia to a market town as he and his family prepare to open a new restaurant.
Erik Pedersen has lived in Bridgnorth for the last 32 years and run a successful shop selling log-burning stoves in Much Wenlock.
Now the 52-year-old is opening his home town's only Danish restaurant in a new family-run venture.
The Viking Chefs, in Castle Terrace ,is run by Erik, son Beau, 20, and wife Sarah.
It is the Pedersen's first foray into the restaurant industry, and the family say they are hoping to raise awareness of Nordic food in Shropshire.
"We are a family business and I want to bring some bit of home cooking to Bridgnorth," said Erik.
"It will also give the town somewhere that serves a lot of fish dishes, which I think has been lacking in Bridgnorth, but us Danes like lots and lots of fish."
He added that along with the fish dishes, which Denmark is famous for, few people were aware that Scandinavian cuisine was growing in popularity.
"Danish food has been going through quite a culinary revolution over the last 15 years," he said.
"Our food used to be considered very bland and boring, but now you have places such as Noma in Copenhagen, which is considered the best restaurant in the world.
"The food may be considered plain compared to other types of cooking, but you will find there are lots of side dishes and dishes within dishes that bring all the flavours together."
Erik and family opened the doors to the Viking Chefs for a private function for friends, family, neighbours last weekend but they will be open to the general public from Wednesday this week.
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