Christian Chu
To me, gastronomy is inseparable from life itself. It is a language through which I interpret the world around me.
Inspiration rarely arrives from a single place. I find it in the quiet precision of nature, in distant cultures and unfamiliar landscapes, in art, music and architecture. It can emerge from a journey, a fleeting encounter, a forgotten memory, or simply from a colour, a fragrance, a texture or a particular quality of light.
These fragments remain with me. Over time, they evolve into ideas, and eventually find their expression through gastronomy.
My cuisine is therefore deeply personal. It is shaped by what I have encountered, but perhaps even more by what I have felt.
The dialogue between Asia and Scandinavia at Levitate was born in much the same way. It is not an attempt to simply unite two culinary traditions, but rather my interpretation of two worlds that have profoundly influenced my perspective. The complexity, vibrancy and emotional depth of Asia meet the restraint, purity and intimate relationship with nature that I discovered in Scandinavia.
Somewhere between these contrasts, I found my own language.
Through Levitate, I translate this language into an experience. My ambition is not merely to compose beautiful dishes, but to invite each guest into a world shaped by my perception of beauty, emotion and imagination.
A flavour may recall a distant place.
An aroma may awaken a memory.
A texture may create an unexpected emotion.
Not everything needs to reveal itself immediately.
The gastronomic world I create can at times feel unfamiliar, elusive, perhaps even difficult to define. Yet I believe there is something compelling in what remains unexplained. Mystery leaves space for curiosity, imagination and individual interpretation.
We are accustomed to searching for meaning in everything we encounter. But some of the most profound experiences resist explanation. Music does not always need to be understood to move us. Art does not always need to be deciphered to remain with us. Beauty itself rarely asks to be explained.
Perhaps gastronomy can exist in the same space.
Sometimes, understanding is not essential.
Sometimes, it is enough simply to feel.
This is my vision.
This is the world I create at Levitate.
Miroslav Šole
I met Christian at the beginning of 2019 and even though we are of different ages and backgrounds we share the same values when it comes to fine dining. I admire his enthusiasm and determination to be the best.
For 20 years I worked for the largest catering company in the world, the British Compass Group. I was a member of the board of directors of this company for Europe and Japan. So I was constantly traveling and in touch with the finest dining in the world. I directly managed 700 restaurants in 5 countries with 7000 employees.
I co-operated with the best chefs and met regulary with Paul Bocus, the King of 20th century chefs. I have been in touch with greats like Albert Roux, Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver and Wolfgang Puck from the US.
I am very glad that I can now use all my knowledge to support Christian and the whole team and see my expertese put into practice. I work as manager, coach and mentor. Last but not least I am quality eveluator to Christian. I participate in the continuous development of new meals because I am also a cook.
Our aim is to present to our guests a truly modern cuisine experience, full of surprises and on par with exclusive fine dining restaurants throughout the world.
Our philosophy
One of the foundations of modern Nordic cuisine is maximum use of local ingredients to the last bit.
It tells us that we should take an interest not only in what we eat and where we eat it, but also in how close it grows or is grown. When it arrives on the plate, each ingredient must be clearly distinguishable and comprehensible. Nevertheless, their combination must always embody something new and surprising.
Modern gastronomy provides us with limitless opportunities. To search, try out, discover, combine, find, and offer. And thus to create unique experiences.
Experiences that we want to convey to everyone who wants to enjoy quality food and savour it in a pleasant atmosphere reminiscent of Nordic nature.
