Fia Guilliksson

Fia Gulliksson Chef, Entrepreneur & UNESCO Gastronomy Advocate | Östersund, Sweden

Fia Gulliksson is a serial entrepreneur and chef whose life's work sits at the intersection of food, culture, and sustainable community development. Her Mission is to make the world better through good food ecosystems in a fun way. 

The driving force behind Östersund's successful bid to become a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Fia helped establish Östersund as one of the first cities ever named to the network in 2010, building its reputation on sustainability and small-scale craft. Her influence has since rippled across the Nordic region, inspiring cities including Bergen, Norway to follow suit.

Born into a family of culinary enthusiasts and raised in the Jämtland region of northern Sweden, Fia founded Jazzköket — a restaurant that went on to win a White Guide Award, Sweden's most coveted food accolade, and was voted the country's most sustainable restaurant in 2014. She also spent three years as the host of Swedish Radio's popular food programme, Meny. She calls herself a “Passionate Potato”, not a couch potato, nor a spectator, she always keeps her eyes peeled. 

In 2016, Fia was awarded an honorary doctorate by Mid Sweden University in recognition of her contributions to creative gastronomy and regional development. As CEO of Food In Action, founded in 2000, she has launched a number of successful sustainable brands that have catalysed the cultural and economic development of Jämtland, all while remaining debt-free and profitable.

Today, Fia travels the world inspiring others toward creative action, sustainable entrepreneurship, and social transformation through food. A passionate advocate for the Nordic region's extraordinary larder, she brings guests into an intimate, living relationship with the landscapes, producers, and food traditions of northern Sweden, an experience that is as much about place and people as it is about what's on the plate.