Welcome to Lofoten

06/04/2026

The Real Reason I Left Svalbard After 14 Years...
Why no more Svalbard? Why not a fancy restaurant in NY or LA? I received these questions on Facebook and realized I’ve never fully shared the "why" behind my biggest life pivots.

From growing up in Ohio and attending Le Cordon Bleu to spending 14 years in Svalbard and eventually finding my home in Lofoten, every decision was driven by a search for something deeper than just a "successful" career. In this video, I’m opening up about the reality of Arctic life, the financial pros of Svalbard, and the strategic move to mainland Norway for my future.

Whether you’re curious about Norway travel, the professional chef life, or making your own "grand decisions," I hope my story gives you something to chew on.

**Inside the Journey:**
0:10 - Addressing the "Grand Decisions" question
0:44 - The financial reality: Low taxes and Svalbard lifestyle
1:28 - Why COVID changed everything for my business
1:43 - The isolation: Why living in Svalbard is like living on a ship
2:23 - The strategy: Why I moved south to mainland Norway
2:51 - Why Lofoten? Finding the dream restaurant
3:28 - Why not NYC or LA? My preference for small communities

**About Polar Chef Ben:**
I'm Ben—chef, cafe owner, and host of Lofoten Food Journeys. After 14 years in Svalbard, I’m now gathering in Lofoten, where I run Jordbærpikene Cafe in Leknes.

Chew on This (My Book): polarchefben.com
Lofoten Food Journeys: lfj.me

06/04/2026