Alchemist restaurant to implement annual five-month research hiatus

Rasmus Munk, the two-star chef behind the Copenhagen-based restaurant Alchemist, has announced a new operational model called ‘Intermission’ starting in December 2026. Under this plan, the restaurant will pause daily dining services for five months each year to focus exclusively on research, development, and creative experimentation.

Rather than developing new concepts alongside ongoing service, the entire team of over 100 employees will dedicate this period to deep immersion. The kitchen staff will test hundreds of new ideas, while the service team focuses on psychology, choreography, performance, and storytelling. The initiative also includes research trips and collaboration with experts from various disciplines.

Alchemist, known for its ‘Holistic Cuisine’ that integrates gastronomy with art, technology, and science, has maintained a massive waiting list of over one million people since opening in 2019. Munk stated that the move aims to provide the time and capacity necessary to continue challenging the boundaries of what a restaurant can be, drawing parallels to how the worlds of art, theater, and music require periods of contemplation before presenting new works to an audience.

During the intermission, the restaurant will not close entirely; it plans to offer backstage tours to provide visitors with insights into the creative process and experiences involving flavors and drinks from previous seasons.