Tareq Taylor's Nordic Cookery

Situated north of Scotland, living on this collection of eighteen islands has always be a struggle for survival. Tareq comes to understand what is in the soul of the Faroese, and why their cuisine has developed the way it has. We explore the beautiful capital Torshavn and surrounding villages, and sail into a cave for a recipe prepared on a rowboat.

Tareq pays a visit to the western part of Denmark, where he explores the region called Midtjylland. Volcanoes and glaciers shaped this part of the country, leaving a giant fjord and pre-historic fossils in their wake. Farmers and food innovators work closely with nature to prepare food with the area's plentiful herbs and award-winning seafood.

After making an initial trip to this special archipelago in Season 1, Tareq goes back to Åland to explore more of this island territory. Canoeing between the 6700 islands in Åland, Tareq finds a chef setting up a huge food village, sees forts left over from various invaders over the centuries, and learns about beer being recreated from 200 year old DNA.

There are not many places in Sweden like Tornedalen. A rushing river has provided for locals for centuries, and the very fertile land has yielded amazing crops for centuries. But being right on the Arctic Circle means the summer is short - so Tareq explores the traditions and the food that are part of this season.

At the northern-most part of Denmark, you are always close to raw, beautiful nature, and incredible sunlight that has drawn artists here for over 100 years. Tareq visits a salt maker using medieval techniques, an aquarium where he gets up close to the fish, and the town of Skagen, considered one of Denmark's most beautiful towns.

East Denmark contains some of Denmark's most fertile lands, and many formerly traditional farmers are converting to organic production and winning awards for their specialist cheeses and wine. Tareq bikes through the area to visit limestone cliffs, try some tree climbing and stop by a Viking ship heading out into the fjords.

Located in Sweden's south, beautiful Kristianstad is a 400-year old town surrounded by the ocean, fertile farmland and protected wetlands to aid the environment. In this episode, Tareq makes his own chocolate at Malmö Chokladfabrik, sees a haunted castle and learns all about the art of eel-fishing.

Tareq starts the next leg of his journey by visiting Sydvestjylland - a unique area in Denmark filled with endless contrasts. Small villages, tiny islands and beautiful coastlines all make up this area. Many food innovators are using the surrounding environment to take old traditions and apply them to the 21st century.

Sunny Nynäshamn is a resort town close to Stockholm, but there is more here than the sea. Tareq meets a prize-winning chocolate maker using ingredients from her garden, visits a thriving local food market, and gets a lesson in how to smoke fish.

Born as a mining town in the 17th century, Røros, Norway is now a center for local and organic food producers. Tareq tries dairy products which Michelin-starred chefs swear by, goes skiing and sledding around Røros many hilly streets, and learns more about the Sami people and their connection to reindeer.

Vimmerby is known as the birthplace of Astrid Lindgren, Sweden's most loved children's book author (creator of Pippi Longstocking and many others). However, Tareq finds that the area is also well-regarded for its cuisine. From the children's theme park who only serves locally produced, healthy food to the friendly moose that roam the hills, Vimmerby has a lot to offer visitors.

The mountains and months of snowfall in Trysil mean that this winter sports town has to be creative when it comes to what they can do locally. Tareq goes to a bakery which provides locals and tourists with the most delicious goods, learns how to make cheese in the traditional way, and goes skiing of course, and takes to the slopes to cook something as skiers pass by.