Brynjulf Krokstrand and his handcarved wooden cutlery… adding to the experience at Oslo’s top restaurant, Maaemo. What first started as a childhood passion, has become a lucrative career for Norway’s Brynjulf Krokstrand and his company, Heartwood. While studying his father’s workshop methods as a kid, he often had ideas about how a piece was made, and how he could make it himself. From that, Brynjulf developed a passion for woodworking – the tools, the technique, and of course, the material.
Harvesting the perfect wood can become very critical, but Brynjulf refers to it as “kind of an obsession”, and we don’t blame him. To create the one of a kind pieces, it requires knowing the wood you’re working with inside and out, and knowing what cuts are ideal. When collecting his materials, it’s gathered from pieces he cuts on his own, to finding trees from windfall or deforestation, and sometimes even garden waste deposits. To select which pieces he’ll work with, Brynjulf focuses on what species of tree he has, what part to use, and how the cuts will be made. It may be called kind of an obsession, but we like to think of this as superb work ethic, which has given him remarkable partnerships.
photo credit: Christine Hammer photo: Esben Holmboe Bang His passion and dedication has led him – and his excellent wooden tableware – to an opportunity with Oslo’s Michelin Two Star rated Maaemo. “It started when Head Chef Esben Holmboe Bang saw some spoons I had made, by chance. Maaemo had been on the lookout for someone who could work with them to develop wooden products for the restaurant. We played with some ideas together, and I made a few prototypes. It resulted in wooden spoons and butter knives, for two of the dishes on their menu,” Krokstrand explained. He hopes, and we hope as well, that this leads to many more tableware items for Maaemo, in addition to a “long list” of ideas he plans to bring to life.
Has the union paid off for Heartwood and Maaemo? “The guests seems to really appreciate the products. My goal is that the diners gets aware of the tool they are using, and that it contributes to a good eating experience. If they sit and examine the spoon after finishing their dish, I feel I have succeeded.” Krokstrand continues, “I feel very lucky to be doing what I do, and hope the future will bring more great opportunities!”
At TabletopJournal, we can’t help but be excited when we get to discuss passionate names and people in our category. This is a great time for tabletop, and the future is bright. As for the guests at Maaemo that are enjoying Heartwood products, they aren’t just studying the spoons after they are finished the meal…Maybe they are wondering how it was made…and are thankful it exists.
To learn more about Brynjulf Krokstrand and his Heartwood creations, follow him here:
https://instagram.com/heartwoodnorway/
– Sean Dackermann
