Søren Selin is the Danish chef who has led Restaurant AOC in Copenhagen to two Michelin stars, one of only a handful of Danish restaurants at that level. He took over the kitchen of the New Nordic fine-dining restaurant — set in a 17th-century vaulted cellar on Strandgade in Christianshavn — in 2013, and within two years had taken it to the top tier of Danish gastronomy.
Selin’s cooking is built on the very best Nordic produce and a philosophy of stimulating the guest through the senses, combining classical French training with a restrained, ingredient-led Scandinavian style.
TL;DR
- Danish chef, head chef of two-Michelin-star Restaurant AOC in Copenhagen since 2013
- AOC earned its second Michelin star in 2015
- Trained in Michelin kitchens in Paris, including two-star Le Relais Louis XIII and one-star Le Jules Verne
- Spent four years as executive head chef at Alberto K, Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Copenhagen
- Named to “Danish Dish of the Year” five times, winning twice (2013 and 2014)
Søren Selin key facts
| Nationality | Danish |
| Restaurant | AOC, Strandgade, Copenhagen (head chef since 2013) |
| Michelin stars | Two at AOC (second star 2015) |
| Style | New Nordic; French technique; sensory, produce-led cooking |
| Training | Le Relais Louis XIII and Le Jules Verne (Paris); Alberto K (Copenhagen) |
Career
Before AOC, Selin built his technique in Michelin-starred kitchens across Europe, including the two-Michelin-star Le Relais Louis XIII and the one-Michelin-star Le Jules Verne in Paris. Back in Copenhagen he spent four years as executive head chef at Alberto K, the restaurant atop the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, before deciding to return to a tighter focus on the food and the kitchen.
Restaurant AOC and two Michelin stars
In 2013 Selin became head chef of Restaurant AOC, founded by sommelier Christian Aarø in a historic vaulted cellar in Christianshavn. Under Selin the restaurant earned its second Michelin star in 2015, putting it among the very small group of Danish restaurants holding two or more stars, and it has been a fixture of the Copenhagen fine-dining scene since.
Signature style
Selin’s cooking is faithful to the idea of stimulating guests through all the senses, using only the best Nordic produce. The menus pair the precision of his French training with a clean, seasonal Scandinavian sensibility, emphasising aroma, texture and the quality of each raw ingredient over decoration.
Awards and recognition
- Second Michelin star for AOC, 2015 (retained since)
- Nominated for “Danish Dish of the Year” five times; winner in 2013 and 2014
- Guest chef at Ikarus, Hangar-7, Salzburg (2016)
Søren Selin in context
Selin is part of the generation that cemented Copenhagen’s status as a global fine-dining capital alongside Rasmus Kofoed of Geranium, Rasmus Munk of Alchemist, Eric Vildgaard of Jordnær and René Redzepi of Noma.
Follow Søren Selin
Restaurant AOC — official site →
Søren Selin FAQ
Where is Restaurant AOC?
In a 17th-century vaulted cellar on Strandgade in the Christianshavn district of Copenhagen.
How many Michelin stars does AOC have?
Two. AOC earned its second Michelin star in 2015 under Søren Selin.
When did Søren Selin join AOC?
In 2013, taking over as head chef and leading the restaurant to its second star two years later.
Where did Søren Selin train?
In Michelin-starred kitchens in Paris (Le Relais Louis XIII, Le Jules Verne) and as executive head chef at Alberto K in Copenhagen.
What is AOC’s style?
New Nordic fine dining built on the best Scandinavian produce, with French technique and a focus on the senses.
