On May 23, we’re launching MAD Camp: a one-day festival for Danish culinary and hospitality students, in collaboration with this year’s Symposium MAD7.
Since 2011, the MAD Symposium has brought together the sharpest minds in food to push for change. MAD Camp continues that mission — spotlighting how hospitality can lead on today’s biggest challenges, from climate to leadership.
200 local culinary students will gather on Refshaleøen for a day of talks, classes and workshops with visionary voices from Denmark and around the world. The festival is a space for personal and professional growth. Over shared meals and conversations, young people will connect with each other and the role models who can impact their path forward.
This year’s theme is Make it Matter: an invitation to understand the meaningful ways that a career in hospitality can change our collective future — in our food system and beyond it.
“During my apprenticeship and career, I’ve been fortunate to meet role models who opened my eyes to what this profession can do. We want to pass that experience on – a day where students meet our industry’s most inspiring voices and gain new perspectives on their future,” says René Redzepi, founder of MAD and co-owner of restaurant noma.
This year marks the beginning of a long-term commitment. Over the next three years, MAD Camp will evolve into a flagship event for culinary students, eventually welcoming young people from across Europe. MAD Camp will stand alongside the MAD Symposium in scope and significance.
MAD 7’s theme is Build to Last. That future depends on the next generation. MAD Camp is a space for future industry leaders to imagine boldly — beyond the classroom, into the world they’re helping to shape.
MAD Camp is produced in collaboration with the Copenhagen Hospitality College (Hotel- og Restaurantskolen) and with support from the Tietgen Foundation (Tietgenfonden) and the Tuborg Foundation (Tuborgfondet).
