From steak to stars

Born in 1977, Björn Frantzén’s passion for food began with a particularly memorable steak. To this day, he recalls that dish — served with French fries and béarnaise sauce — as his first true culinary memory, one that would inspire a career in the restaurant industry decades later. He later began his professional journey in gastronomy as an intern under Chef Christer Lingström at Edsbacka Krog.

Examples of Awards:

Three Michelin Stars – Frantzén

Three Michelin Stars – Zén

Three Michelin Stars – FZN

Gulddraken & Gästdraken Awards (2013) – Frantzén

Restaurant of the Year by The White Guide (2018) – Frantzén

Best Chef Award, Top 100 (2019)

Ranked #1 (2020) in Europe on OAD Top 100 – Frantzén

Ranked #6 (2021) on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list – Frantzén

Ranked #2 (2021) on Asia’s OAD Top 150 – Zén

Kockarnas Kock by Svenska Gastronomipriset (2021)

Kockarnas Krog by Svenska Gastronomipriset, Awarded 6 times – Frantzén

Ranked #1 (2023) on La Liste – Frantzén

Restaurant & Bar Design Awards 2023, “In Another Space” – Studio Frantzén London

Restaurant of the Year (2024) by Falstaff Nordic Restaurant Guide, with a perfect score of 100/100 – Frantzén

Ranked #21 and awarded Best Hospitality (2024) in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants – Zén

Gault&Millau 2025 Breakthrough Restaurant of the Year & International Brand of the Year – FZN

Björn is passionate about constantly developing his skills and to become one of the very best. This passion would take him to other top restaurants, such as Chez Nico’s at 90 Park Lane (Nico Ladenis, UK, three Michelin stars) and Restaurant L’Arpege (Alain Passard, Paris, three Michelin stars).

Aside from his passion for cooking, Björn has always been very engaged in charity. Every year Björn hosts a dinner event featuring a handful of Europe’s most renowned chefs, all to benefit the Swedish Child Diabetes Foundation.