A Taste of Norway - with Nevada Berg

We are honored to chat with Nevada Berg, an award-winning food writer, photographer, and adventurer who left the USA to settle on a farm in Norway. Her passion for food, nature, and adventure has shaped her unique lifestyle and inspiring journey. Read on to gain insight into Nevada’s fascinating life, from her move to Norway to her culinary discoveries and future projects.

Nevada is wearing our Minna Wool Fleece Jacket in the color green in size M.

Hi Nevada! You are an award-winning food writer, author, and photographer born and raised in the USA and now living in Norway. You also seem to have a great passion for adventure and nature. 

What brought you to Norway? 

After being very nomadic for years, my husband and I were yearning for a place to call home and a community to become rooted in. We had ambitions to move from the city life to a small farm, where we could grow our own food and spend our leisure hours on hobbies that had not been possible while living in the city. When we had our son, the time felt right to turn that dream into a reality. Norway, with its grand landscapes and culture of making the most out of life, was where we were drawn to since my husband is Norwegian. We knew it was an ideal place to raise our son. It also meant we would be closer to family. We didn’t know exactly where in Norway we would end up, but our flexibility made the move so much easier. We had no reservations moving to a place we had never been before, but rather took the move to Numedal with a sense of adventure and anticipation. 

What has been the most surprising cultural difference you’ve encountered between the USA and Norway?

I’m not sure if this was so surprising, but I would say that Norwegians on a whole tend to incorporate nature into (almost) every aspect of their lives and make sure to spend time outdoors no matter what the weather is. I truly admire how children are brought up embrace the outdoors - from babies sleeping in their strollers in the fresh air to kids playing and being active during all the seasons.  

Nevada is wearing out Agnes Dungarees in the color green i size 42.

How has living in Norway influenced your cooking style and recipe development?

Once here, I knew I wanted to look further into the history behind the dishes and discover more of the cuisine and ingredients. I was taken back by the amazing natural ingredients growing right outside our doorstep; from chanterelles and wild strawberries to wild meats and fresh-water fish. The taste variations and quality are some of the best I have ever experienced. Learning about traditional methods, like smoking and curing, and the nuances and flavors that come from hand-made foods was just another reason to make me fall so heavily for Norwegian cooking and want to share it with the rest of the world. Being guided by the seasons is another one of the ways my cooking style has been influenced. Each season ushers in its own ingredients and occasions, carving out a natural path to help guide us in our kitchens. The seasons also connect us more to our natural surroundings, which fosters a greater appreciation for it and, in turn, has helped me approach my recipe development in a more local and sustainable way.

What is your favorite place in Norway to spend time outdoors, and why?

In all honesty, one of the things I love about Norway is that around every corner you’ll find a beautiful and peaceful place, so there is no shortage of favorite outdoor spots. I am a mountain girl through and through, and our valley has a lot of gorgeous hiking trails. Hardangervidda and Jotunheimen National Parks are nearby. I also do love to sit along the shore and watch the waves lap up against the rocks – one of my favorite areas being the quaint island of Ona. And, of course, I so enjoy our home and going up to our outdoor cooking area and looking out over the farm with a mountain as our backdrop. 

Do you have any exciting projects or TV recordings coming up that you can tell us about?

I recently filmed my first episode for season 3 of the TV series, People of the North, which will come out in 2025. You can also find me on Viking.TV where I showcase Nordic cooking through the seasons. There might be another food program in the works, but it’s a little too early to reveal anything yet ☺. 

I also hope to host more of my Norwegian Culinary Experiences next year, where we travel from Oslo to Bergen and along the coast from Ålesund to Trondheim. Feel free to sign up to my newsletter to be the first in the know of all happenings: click here to sign up!

Lastly, could you share a luxurious recipe for cooking outdoors that would impress guests, as well as a simpler option for beginners? (Feel free to link to a recipe on your blog or IG) 

Yes! My Chanterelle and Goat Cheese Skillet is a simple-to-make dish that will really impress. I love making it after foraging for chantarelles, but you could use other flavorful wild mushrooms. It’s rich and creamy and will keep any belly satisfied while the main meal is slowly cooking away. It’s such a favorite that the recipe is also featured in my first North Wild Kitchen cookbook. You can find it here. 

What do you think about your Astrid Wild gear? 

I am such a fan of Astrid Wild! I love the ethos of making women’s outdoor clothing inclusive, attractive, and comfortable for all women. I first purchased the Emma 3L Shell Jacket and followed it since with the Minna Wool Fleece Jacket, the Agnes Dungarees, and the Aleksandra Merino Long Sleeve. The quality and thoughtfulness put into the clothing is above and beyond. Everything fits really well, and is perfect for when I’m outdoors cooking, gardening, hiking, or just hanging out. Also, since I have been filming a lot outdoors, I wanted functional, but good-looking and feminine clothing, and Astrid Wild ticks all the boxes! 

Thank you so much, Nevada, for sharing your story of moving from the USA to Norway, starting a farm, and embracing the local cuisine and culture. We loved hearing about how you incorporate nature into your cooking and the exciting projects you have coming up. Follow her on Instagram for more of her amazing recipes, beautiful photography, and nature adventures. If you want to read more about life in Norway we recommend this one!