Chef Renars Purmalis: 'I don't just make food, I create an adventure.'

Renars Purmalis, a chef at the restaurant "Buržujs" and the visionary behind the "Gatavo dabā" (Cook in Nature) concept, transforms the culinary experience by taking his kitchen outdoors. His workspace can be as varied as a forest clearing, a riverbank, or even a location where temperatures plummet to minus 23 degrees Celsius. Purmalis, who also holds the title of world oyster-shucking champion, believes that cooking in nature enhances the flavor of food and creates a unique adventure for diners.

“

I don't just make food, I create an adventure.

Purmalis's culinary journey is deeply rooted in his childhood experiences with the organization "Jaunie vanagi," which focused on outdoor activities like camps and boat trips. This early immersion in nature, combined with his later professional work in restaurant kitchens, led him to develop a distinctive cooking style. He realized that food preparation could be more than just combining ingredients; it could involve techniques like sautéing vegetables before adding broth, elevating simple dishes into something special.

While Purmalis has dedicated a decade to working in various kitchens, he admits he's still exploring his identity as a chef. He enjoys the act of cooking and interacting with people but dislikes the rigid systems of traditional restaurants, such as inconvenient storage issues and long working hours. This dissatisfaction fueled his desire to create a more flexible and nature-integrated culinary approach.

“

I would say it was a combination. I joined the children's and youth organization "Jaunie vanagi," where the main theme was going into nature – there were camps, boat trips, and foreign projects.

For those new to cooking outdoors, Purmalis recommends starting with "one-pot meals," easily searchable online using terms like "one-pot meal." He emphasizes the utility of a good cast iron pot, suggesting it's a more valuable investment than cryptocurrency or stocks, as it can be used throughout one's life and even passed down to future generations. This philosophy underscores his belief in durable, quality tools that enhance the connection between food, nature, and people.

“

I don't think I would invest in "bitcoin" and "stocks," but rather in cast iron, because it is something that you can use throughout your life and even give away to the next generations.