The chef who wanted to be a farmer

Our interviewee this time is Bjarni Birgisson, head chef of the Health Institute of South Iceland (HSU) in Selfoss. Bjarni was born in that town on March 10, 1968, which according to our books was a Sunday. He attended children's school road in Þingborg in Hraungerðishreppi and then went to Gagnfrædaskólinn in Selfoss. Later began studying cooking in Fossnesti/Inghóll in Selfoss and finished it at Gullna Hanum in Reykjavík.

DIVERSE CAREER
We ask Bjarna about his previous jobs up to his current job. "After finishing my cooking education, I worked four summers at Hotel Reynihlíð in Mývatnssveit. Then I baked flatbread in the winter and took care of parties at Básinn in Ingólfsskáli in Ölfus. I later spent a year with the SS canteen in Hvolsvell and then a whole 14 years in Skálholt, where I took care of all the catering. Next, I took over the school canteen at Flúðaskóli and, at the same time, I ran a catering service. I started working as a head chef at HSU in Selfoss on June 1st, 2019.

A STRONG TEAM IN THE KITCHEN
The work of this veteran in the culinary sector today includes the operation of HSU's kitchen in Selfoss. This includes purchasing products, staffing, and serving food to patients and staff of the institution. Bjarna's team employs two chefs, one food consultant, and the general kitchen staff in addition is ten in number.

HORSEMANSHIP IS THE PASSION
Bjarni is married to Lára Bergljóta Jónsdóttir, the principal of Reykholt School in Bláskógabyggð. "We live in Blesastaðir in Skeiða- and Gnúpverjahreppur and have three grown children and one grandchild. I have been riding horses since I was a child and it is my passion outside of work, along with spending time with my family."

COULDN'T BECOME A FARMER
But why did Bjarni choose the chef's career? "I was diagnosed with allergies and therefore could not become a farmer, which led to the fact that I had to broaden my horizons. During a job presentation in middle school, I went to a restaurant and found my niche. But otherwise, I would have just become a farmer with cows, sheep, and horses ."

Bjarni Birgisson, head chef of HSU in Selfoss.

From left to right are Bjarni the head chef, Michelle the kitchen worker, Hjördís the cook, Ingibjörg the kitchen worker, Maria the kitchen worker, and Jón the cook.

Jón Ólafur Guðmundsson, chef.