News

Jesper Holm and Jesper Olsen both celebrated their 20-year anniversary with Compass Group on 1 September. Today, they work together at Lif – The Danish Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry, where Jesper Holm is sous chef and Jesper Olsen is head chef. Although they have different ways of working, their differences have become an important part of their successful collaboration. Jesper Olsen focuses on the bigger picture and daily operations, while Jesper Holm pays close attention to the details. Together with four colleagues, they run a kitchen that serves between 100 and 400 people every day.

Charlie Heglund, Food Innovation Manager at Compass Group Denmark, has been selected to contribute to a new international cookbook developed through the EU co-funded FoodChoices4LIFE project. Together with chefs from across Europe, he has helped reimagine traditional recipes with a focus on the future of food. His plant-based interpretation of the classic Danish dish millionbøf earned a place in the publication, highlighting locally grown legumes as key ingredients. The recognition reflects both Charlie’s culinary expertise and the innovative approach of Compass Group Denmark’s Food Innovation team. The cookbook aims to inspire chefs and food enthusiasts to explore new culinary possibilities.

Compass Group is celebrating People Appreciation Week with a special tribute to its employees. More than 100 colleagues from across the country have been invited to a shared dinner where senior leaders serve as hosts to recognise their contribution. The event reflects the company’s belief that satisfied employees create satisfied customers and a healthy business. Throughout the day colleagues connect, share experiences and build stronger relationships. The celebration highlights appreciation, inclusion and community while giving employees the chance to meet people they do not often see. It also reinforces the message that people remain the organisation’s most valuable asset today.

The restaurant at The Royal Danish Library at Aarhus University has won Århus Stiftstidende’s “Best Breakfast in Aarhus” award. Local residents voted for their favourite, and the title went to our colleagues in the kitchen. For Head Chef Steffen Linding and the rest of the team, the award is a great recognition of their daily efforts to create memorable food experiences for guests. The restaurant is open to the public, and especially on Saturdays, many guests stop by to enjoy its popular brunch. Now, the team can celebrate being named the home of the Best Breakfast in Aarhus.

Colleagues from near and far turned up in large numbers for the DHL Relay Race Copenhagen on Friday. For some, it meant five kilometres in running shoes, for others a walk, while the rest cheered from the sidelines. What everyone had in common was that the evening provided an opportunity to come together across Compass Group – including with colleagues they do not see every day. After the race, our colleagues in the production kitchen prepared a delicious meal, providing the perfect setting for a cosy end to the evening. Because the DHL Relay Race is not just about crossing the finish line, but about community, great experiences and being one team.

On 24 August, Compass Group opened the doors to new canteens at six of Copenhagen Business Academy’s locations. The three-year partnership aims to develop food and dining experiences while strengthening the canteens as social hubs across the campuses. With a focus on seasonal ingredients, freshness, plant-based options and 60–90% organic produce, Compass Group aims to create an attractive environment for both students and employees. Through initiatives such as Social Dining, themed days and events, the canteens will provide opportunities for people to come together, share experiences and build a stronger sense of community across programmes and professional backgrounds.

Former Michelin-starred chef Christian Kanstrup Pedersen is at the helm of BESTSELLER’s new staff restaurant, Skovhuset. Together with a team of four, he will create great food experiences for 200–250 employees every day. Christian brings experience from Michelin-starred restaurants such as Pure & V in Nice and Restaurant Lyst in Vejle and will combine familiar ingredients and dishes with new interpretations. Skovhuset is also another result of the strong partnership between BESTSELLER and Compass Group, which now operates six staff restaurants at the fashion company. The new restaurant will help continuously develop the food experiences in line with BESTSELLER’s needs.

Compass Group has successfully completed its first PostNord Tour of Denmark as the official hospitality partner of the Danish Cycling Union. Over five stages, our colleagues delivered VIP hospitality in every start and finish town, serving more than 4,000 guests and race crew members. We also created memorable food experiences in the fan zones in Vejle and Rødovre with a diverse selection of food trucks. The event required meticulous planning, seamless logistics and outstanding teamwork across Denmark, demonstrating how we transform hospitality and operational excellence into memorable experiences for both our partner and their guests.

PostNord Danmark Rundt is underway, and Compass Group is proud to support the event as hospitality partner to the Danish Cycling Union. Throughout the five-stage race, we are delivering VIP catering in the start and finish towns, serving thousands of guests with food designed to be enjoyed while the action unfolds. The partnership is built on a shared ambition to elevate the hospitality experience around Danish cycling through high-quality food, seamless logistics and exceptional guest experiences. Supported by a dedicated team of colleagues, we look forward to creating the perfect setting for networking, community and memorable moments throughout Denmark's biggest stage race.

Over the course of 14 days, Compass Group's production and lunch kitchen prepared and delivered more than 38,000 meals for the volunteers behind Grøn Koncert. The operation included production, packing, logistics and delivery to concert venues across Denmark, demonstrating the team's ability to scale up food production without compromising on quality. Grøn Koncert is organised by the Danish Muscular Dystrophy Foundation, with all profits supporting people living with muscular dystrophy and their families. The achievement was made possible by a dedicated team of chefs, production staff, drivers, planners and kitchen porters working together to keep thousands of volunteers well fed throughout the tour.

At Compass Group, we are proud to celebrate six students who have successfully completed Glad Fonden’s two-year flex education programme in one of our staff restaurants. The programme supports people with cognitive disabilities and diverse learning needs in developing their professional skills and preparing for working life. Our partnership with Glad Fonden is built on a shared ambition to create more pathways into education and employment. The fact that two graduates from a previous cohort have since been employed in flex jobs highlights the lasting impact of a collaboration that creates opportunities for individuals, our customers and our workplaces alike.

At Compass Group, we believe talent deserves the opportunity to grow. Luci Vitug is a great example of that. Three years ago, he joined our cleaning division, but through curiosity, dedication and a willingness to learn, he has developed into an award-winning caterer. At his final apprenticeship exam, Luci received a bronze medal, four special awards and achieved three top grades – an extraordinary accomplishment, especially considering he overcame exam anxiety with the support of an exam coach. His story shows what can happen when people are given the opportunity, encouragement and trust to develop their potential.

The festival grounds are finally open, and today we welcomed our first hungry guests at Roskilde Festival. The past few weeks have been busy. Our colleagues have been living on-site to make sure everything is ready, and now all the hard work is coming together. The pots are bubbling, the kitchens are buzzing, and this

Eight of our apprentices have officially earned their vocational qualifications after graduating from the Hotel and Restaurant School in Copenhagen and Techcollege in Aalborg. Several received special recognition for their outstanding achievements, including Winnie Baunkjær, who was awarded the Danish Chamber of Commerce Award, Luci Vitug, who earned three top grades, a bronze medal and several additional awards, and Mikkel Rützou, who was named the class’s Fighter Award recipient. Most of our newly qualified professionals are already part of Compass Group and will continue working in our kitchens. Congratulations to all of them on this fantastic achievement!

As tradition dictates, Compass Group celebrated the student assistants who have completed their bachelor's or master's degrees this year. A total of 17 graduates were recognised for their dedication and celebrated by colleagues at our head office. Jens Mossing, mentor to our student assistants, highlighted the value they create through fresh perspectives and new ideas. One of the graduates, Sofie Skive, will continue her journey with Compass Group in a full-time role as an Operational Partner in our Facility Management division. We are proud of all our graduates and congratulate them on their achievements, wishing them every success in the future.