Everything You’ve Missed So Far at the MAD 5 Symposium

After taking a year off, Danish chef René Redzepi’s MAD Symposium is back this weekend in Copenhagen for another round. Since its founding in 2011, the semi-annual event has been a mecca for a select group of culinarians — chefs, food academics, purveyors, and food journalists — who travel from around the world to hangout in a bright red circus tent on the island of Refshaleøen while listening to heady food presentations and doing a whole lot of eating and drinking.

Stretched over August 28 and 29, this year’s gathering focuses on the theme “Tomorrow’s Kitchen” — an extension of a separate event held earlier this spring Sydney, Australia. Presenters, so far, today have included chef Alex Atala of D.O.M. in Brazil, author and Extra Crispy editor Kat Kinsman, Jacques Pepin, and Mission Chinese chef Angela Dimayuga. While the event is relatively exclusive (approximately 300 people were accepted this year) attendees have been judiciously documenting every beautiful plated morsel, bike ride, and Burning Man-esque moment of MAD 5. Here’s what you’ve missed so far:

The Noma crew received green and white custom Adidas sneakers from Danish footwear company JKAcustoms complete with MAD printed on the heel and tow.

Momofuku chef David Chang took a ride on a “Danish rickshaw” with René Redzepi behind the wheel.

Alex Atala brought some Amazonian flavor to Denmark-based taco shop Hija de Sanchez. LA Times columnist Jonathan Gold naturally stopped by and documented the restaurant’s charming taco diagram.

Ivan Ramen noodle maestro Ivan Orkin collaborated with Tiger Mom on a ramen pop-up in where else but a rooftop construction site. Orkin documented the event on Lucky Peach’s Instagram account.

Lunch on Sunday was a seafood feast from Oslo, Norway’s Maaemo restaurant.

Attendee’s were rung in with a giant gong to a packed tent that looked not unlike a green-tinged rock concert.

And handed “bespoke” beers and fancy sorbet cones from Jacob & Jakob Ice Cream on the way out. The evening wrapped with some crunchy pork cracklings.

For those dying to watch the presentations from MAD 5, stay tuned. In the past, the international culinary think tank has generally shared videos from the events on its Vimeo account.

• Mad 5 Event Website [Official]

• MAD Is Back: René Redzepi's Culinary Symposium Hits Sydney in April, Copenhagen in Late Summer [E]

• Tent Revival [E]

• All MAD Coverage [E]