The Dalsland medal
Once a year this medal is given to one or more people from Dalsland who
in one way or another have "made Dalsland known" by doing something
special for and/or within the region.
We are extremely proud and happy for this proof of appreciation, which strengthens
us in our continued work in serving food the Dalsland way!
The justification for us receiving the medal in 2001 is as follows:
In the year of 1978 Carin and Christer came to Baldersnäs.
They were on their way home to Gothenburg from their vacation
and were going to visit two friends who ran the restaurant.
This visit was the beginning of a 17 year long engagement. At
this particular visit Carin and Christer were offered to become
partners in the restaurant business. They accepted the offer.
By 1981 they were running the business on their own.
"We saw the opportunities to develop the business and to
extend the season". Carin and Christer tells that the restaurant's
turnover grew 8 times during their time at Baldersnäs.
It wasn't long, after their move from Gothenburg to Dals Långed,
before Carin and Christer started feeling as Dalsland natives
(Dalslänningar). They got to know the native products from
lakes and forests at Baldersnäs, which they included in
their menu.
In 1995 they bought an old school in Norebyn, Steneby. They
turned it into a small restaurant in the middle of the forest,
surrounded by many of the local products used in their kitchen.
Falkholts Gestgifveri has become a concept. The image built
upon Dalsland food quality has paid off and led to numerous
distinctions.
Recently the Falkholts received "The Best Plate of the
Roads Honour 2001" ("Vägarnas Bästa Hederstallrik
2001" ). From the West Gastronomic Academy they received
the yearly big prize - a check worth 25 000 SEK, in addition
to the honour (se below). The restaurant is also part of a project
within West Sweden's Tourism Board in which 20 restaurants are
included. This project aims to give a quality assurance to restaurants
that make use of and develop the local food culture.
The engagement, the will to fight for and market the province
has been the backbone of their business during all years.
-It is not only Falkholt's that we market when we engage in
marketing campaigns. We market Dalsland as a concept. Carin
and Christer says that; We want to highlight the great resources
within this small province. Headlines and articles in Swedish
and Norwegian newspapers and journals such as Göteborgs-Posten,
ICA-kuriren, och Hjemmet writes about the small restaurant and
their focus on Dalsland food quality.
In 1998 they took the initiative to develop a network and gather
all tourism and hospitality businesses in the province. The
idea was to offer education, exchange of experiences and to
work together for the best of Dalsland. The result of this is
the association Meeting Place Dalsland ("Mötesplats
Dalsland"), which today aim at joint marketing efforts. |
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